cornea

noun

cor·​nea ˈkȯr-nē-ə 

: the transparent part of the coat of the eyeball that covers the iris and pupil and admits light to the interior see eye illustration

corneal

ˈkȯr-nē-əl 

adjective

Examples of cornea in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, ocular exposure to sulfur mustard can also produce long-term effects, including recurrent inflammation and erosion of the cornea. —New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2024

In a healthy eye, excess aqueous humor exits through the trabecular meshwork, which are canals located between your iris (the colored part of the eye) and cornea (the clear outer portion). —Mark Gurarie, Health, 3 Oct. 2024

Advertisement Seven people, five of them teenagers, received Nicholas’ corneas, kidneys, liver, heart and pancreas. —Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2024

Keratoconus: This progressive eye disease causes the cornea to thin and bulge into a cone-like shape, causing blurry vision and sensitivity to light. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 4 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Medieval Latin (short for cornea tēla "horny web," cornea tunica "horny covering," translating Greek kerātoeidḕs chitṓn), from feminine of Latin corneus "horny" — more at corneous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

cornea

noun

cor·​nea ˈkȯr-nē-ə 

: the transparent part of the coat of the eyeball that covers the iris and pupil and lets light through to the interior

corneal

-nē-əl 

adjective

Medical Definition

cornea

noun

cor·​nea ˈkȯr-nē-ə 

: the transparent part of the coat of the eyeball that covers the iris and pupil and admits light to the interior

corneal

-əl 

adjective