chalazion

American  

[kuh-ley-zee-uhn] / kəˈleɪ zi ən /

noun

plural

chalazia

1. Ophthalmology. sty.

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chalazion British  

/ kəˈleɪzɪən /

noun

1. Also called: meibomian cyst.  a small cyst on the eyelid resulting from chronic inflammation of a meibomian gland

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Usage

What does chalazion mean? A chalazion is a small bump that forms on the eyelid when a gland on the eyelid gets clogged. A chalazion can also be called sty (or stye), a meibomian cyst, or a hordeolum. The plural of chalazion is chalazia. Even though they occur on the eyelids and not the eye, chalazia are typically diagnosed and treated by ophthalmologists (eye doctors). Example: That bump on your eyelid might be a chalazion—you should get it checked out.

Etymology

Origin of chalazion

1700–10; < Greek, diminutive of chálaza; see chalaza

Compare meaning

How does chalazion compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• chalazion vs. hordeolum