PUPILLA Meaning and
Definition
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Pupilla is a term derived from the Latin word "pupilla," which means "little doll" or "puppet." In the realm of anatomy, pupilla refers to the aperture located in the center of the iris of the eye. Commonly known as the pupil, it is circular in shape and appears as a black spot. It plays a vital role in controlling the amount of light that enters the eye.
The size of the pupilla continuously changes to regulate the amount of light reaching the retina. In bright light conditions, the pupilla constricts or narrows, reducing the amount of light entering the eye to prevent an excessive amount of light from damaging the sensitive retinal cells. Conversely, in low light environments, the pupilla dilates or widens, allowing more light to enter the eye, thus optimizing vision.
The action of regulating the size of the pupilla is controlled by the iris, a colored circular muscle which surrounds the pupilla. This muscle contracts or relaxes in response to different lighting conditions and reflexes triggered by emotions. Consequently, the pupilla's size serves as an important indicator of a person's responsiveness to external stimuli, including changes in light intensity and emotional states. Its analysis is commonly employed in fields like medicine and psychology to gain insights into a person's cognitive and physiological reactions.
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Pupil of the eye, the circular opening in the center of the iris.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PUPILLA
Etymology of PUPILLA
The word "pupilla" is derived from Latin. It comes from the diminutive form of the word "pupus", meaning "child" or "little boy". "Pupilla" specifically refers to the "little child", and it was used to describe the small, dark circular opening in the center of the eye known as the pupil. The Latin term was adopted into various Romance languages, including Italian and Spanish, and has been used in the scientific and medical fields to refer to the pupil ever since.
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