arcus
Noun 1. A whitish or grayish opaque ring or arc-shaped deposit in the cornea of the eye. It is composed of lipid (fat) deposits and is often associated with aging or, in younger individuals, with high cholesterol levels.
The word "arcus" is a medical/clinical term. It is typically used in ophthalmology, optometry, and general medicine to describe a specific physical finding during an eye examination. * It is often part of the compound term "arcus senilis" when referring to the age-related, often benign form in older adults. * When it occurs in people under 40-50 years old, it may be called "arcus juvenilis" and can be a sign of hyperlipidemia (high blood lipids).
- The optometrist noted a faint arcus in the patient's left cornea during the routine exam.
- The presence of arcus in a 35-year-old man prompted the doctor to order a lipid profile test.
- Arcus senilis is generally considered a normal part of the aging process for many people.
- Arcus senilis: The specific term for the corneal arcus associated with aging. It is often a benign finding.
- Arcus juvenilis / Corneal arcus: Terms used when this condition appears in younger individuals, which may indicate an underlying disorder of lipid metabolism.
- Corneal arcus: A more descriptive synonym for "arcus."
- Arcus senilis: (Latin: "senile arc") The age-associated form.
- Lipid arc: Another descriptive term highlighting its composition.
- Corneal arcus
- Lipid ring (informal/descriptive)
"Arcus" by itself refers specifically to the corneal finding. It is distinct from other uses of "arcus" in other scientific contexts (e.g., in meteorology, "arcus cloud" refers to a type of shelf cloud). In medical English, it is understood to mean the corneal condition.
- a whitish deposit in the shape of an arc that is sometimes seen in the cornea