How Do You Spell MEGALOPHTHALMUS?

1. Megalophthalmus is a medical term used to describe an anatomical condition characterized by abnormally large eyeballs. Derived from the combination of the Greek words "megas," meaning large, and "ophthalmos," meaning eye, this condition is primarily associated with insects and other arthropods, particularly beetles.

   In instances of megalophthalmus, an affected organism exhibits disproportionately large eyes in relation to their body size. The enlarged eyeballs often protrude prominently from the head, sometimes even wrapping around the sides of the head in extreme cases. This condition is considered an unusual variation from the normal eye size observed in the species.

   Megalophthalmus can have several implications for the affected organisms. Firstly, such large eyes can have an impact on the overall balance and coordination of the organism, potentially affecting its ability to navigate its environment. Additionally, the enlarged eyes may alter the visual capabilities and field of vision, potentially providing advantages in areas like detecting movement or capturing light, but also potentially affecting depth perception.

   While megalophthalmus is commonly observed in certain groups of insects, it is not exclusive to them. In some rare instances, this condition has also been reported in humans. However, due to the potential functional and visual consequences, it is typically considered an abnormality rather than a desirable trait.

2. Large size of the eyes.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for MEGALOPHTHALMUS

The word "megalophthalmus" is derived from the combination of two Greek roots: "megas" meaning "great" or "large", and "ophthalmos" meaning "eye". Hence, "megalophthalmus" refers to a condition or characteristic of having large or oversized eyes.