macula

/ˈmækjələ/

/ˈmækjələ/

Other forms: maculae; maculas

Definitions of macula

1. noun

   a patch of skin that is discolored but not usually elevated; caused by various diseases
   synonyms: macule

   types:

   freckle, lentigo

   a small brownish spot (of the pigment melanin) on the skin

   liver spot

   a type of skin disease that causes brown spots on the skin

   plague spot

   a spot on the skin characteristic of the plague

   type of:

   dapple, fleck, maculation, patch, speckle, spot

   a small contrasting part of something
2. noun

   a small yellowish central area of the retina that is rich in cones and that mediates clear detailed vision
   synonyms: macula lutea, macular area, yellow spot

   type of:

   area, region

   a part of an animal that has a special function or is supplied by a given artery or nerve
3. noun

   a cooler darker spot appearing periodically on the sun's photosphere; associated with a strong magnetic field
   synonyms: sunspot

   type of:

   dapple, fleck, maculation, patch, speckle, spot

   a small contrasting part of something