uveo-, uve- +
(Latin: grapelike; the uvea, the [grapelike] surface of the iris of the eye)
Granulomatous uveitis, or posterior uveitis, is characterized by the watering of the eyes which in turn causes impaired vision.
The injured eye is termed the "exciting eye". If the affected area is not removed within ten days of the accident that caused the wound, blindness will occur.
The "iris" is the circular, colored curtain of the eye that surrounds the pupil.
The "choroid" of the eye is the thin vascular middle layer of the eye that is situated between the sclera (the white of the eye) and the retina (the nerve layer that lines the back of the eye, senses light, and creates impulses that travel through the optic nerve to the brain).
The "ciliary body" is the body of tissue that connects the iris with the choroid and includes a group of muscles which act on the lens of the eye to change its shape.
The word uvea comes from the Latin word uva for "grape". One suggested idea behind this strange relationship to the eye was that, if the stem is removed from a grape, the hole looks like the pupil of the eye and the grape resembles the eyeball.
Some of those who have overcome an Ebola disease have had eye problems, most commonly a swelling and inflammation of the uveal layer of the eye.
2. A nonspecific or general term for any intraocular inflammatory disorder or any part of the uveal tract: The uveal tract structures (iris, ciliary body, and choroid) are usually involved in uveitis, but other nonuveal parts of the eye, including the retina and cornea, may also be involved.
Uveitis that is not associated with known infections, or that is associated with diseases of unknown cause, is termed endogenous uveitis. This is thought to be due to an autoimmune phenomenon.
The patient may experience varying degrees of discomfor or pain, with or without blurring of vision.
In many cases a cause is never found, however some known associations include various types of arthritis, some bowel diseases, virus illnesses, tuberculosis, syphilis, parasites, and fungi.
Uveomeningitis is an ailment which shows lesions of the uvea and involves a meningeal inflammation.
Related references to "eye" or "eye part" word families: blepharo-; core-; corneo-; eye, eyes; irido-; lenti-, lens-; lenticulo-; ocelli-; oculo-; op-, -optic; ophthalmo-; phaco-; pupillo-; retino-.
Cross references of word families that are derived directly, or indirectly, from: "grape, grapes": acin-; racem-; staphyl-; uvul-.