conjunctiva
UK /ˌkɒn.dʒʌŋ(k)ˈtʌɪ.və/ · US /ˌkɑnˌd͡ʒʌŋ(k)ˈtaɪ.və/ noun
Forms conjunctivas conjunctivae
- noun (anatomy) A clear mucous membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelid and the exposed surface of the eyeball or sclera.
Etymology
From 1540s late Middle English, borrowing from Medieval Latin conjūnctīva (“serving to connect, connective”, feminine), ellipsis of membrāna conjūnctīva (“conjunctive membrane”).
Webster’s 1913
- noun The mucous membrane which covers the external surface of the ball of the eye and the inner surface of the lids; the conjunctival membrance.
Etymology [NL., from L. conjunctivus connective.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “conjunctiva”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details