conjunctiva

American  

[kon-juhngk-tahy-vuh] / ˌkɒn dʒʌŋkˈtaɪ və /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

conjunctivas, conjunctivae

1. the mucous membrane that lines the exposed portion of the eyeball and inner surface of the eyelids.

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conjunctiva British  

/ ˌkɒndʒʌŋkˈtaɪvə /

noun

1. the delicate mucous membrane that covers the eyeball and the under surface of the eyelid

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conjunctiva Scientific  

/ kŏn′jŭngk-tī′və /

plural

conjunctivas

1. The mucous membrane that lines the inside of the eyelid and covers the surface of the eyeball.

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Other Word Forms

• conjunctival adjective
• subconjunctival adjective

Etymology

Origin of conjunctiva

1350–1400; Middle English; short for Medieval Latin membrāna conjunctīva conjunctive membrane; see conjunctive

Example Sentences

In three cases, the MicroShunt was exposed outside the conjunctiva and patients were treated with a petrolatum-based eye ointment.

From Science Daily • Jan. 16, 2026

The organoid model can now be used to test drugs for several diseases affecting the conjunctiva.

From Science Daily • Jan. 11, 2024

They used cells from an actual human conjunctiva and grew them into 3D structures in a dish.

From Science Daily • Jan. 11, 2024

The conjunctiva, a tissue that covers the white of the eye and the inside of the eyelids, is partially responsible for the production of these tears.

From Science Daily • Jan. 11, 2024

Pterygium is a hypertrophic thickening of the conjunctiva of triangular shape firmly attached by its apex to the superficial layers of the cornea.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 1 "Evangelical Church Conference" to "Fairbairn, Sir William" by Various