ciliary body: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (C2+)Technical/Specialized
Quick answer
What does “ciliary body” mean?
A circular structure in the eye, located behind the iris, that produces aqueous humour and contains the muscle which controls the shape of the lens for focusing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A circular structure in the eye, located behind the iris, that produces aqueous humour and contains the muscle which controls the shape of the lens for focusing.
The term refers specifically to the anatomical ring of tissue connecting the choroid and iris, playing crucial roles in accommodation, aqueous production, and trabecular meshwork function. It may be metaphorically referenced in specialized fields to describe analogous circular support structures.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Pronunciation of 'ciliary' may have slight regional variation in stress.
Connotations
Purely anatomical/medical; no cultural or connotative differences.
Frequency
Equally rare and technical in both varieties, used exclusively in ophthalmology, optometry, and related sciences.
Grammar
How to Use “ciliary body” in a Sentence
The ciliary body + verb (produces, controls, secretes, attaches)Adjective + ciliary body (inflamed, detached, pigmented, atrophic)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ciliary body” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The ciliary body function was assessed.
- She has ciliary body inflammation.
American English
- Ciliary body detachment is a serious condition.
- The ciliary body muscles were examined.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Exclusively used in medical, biological, and optometric literature, textbooks, and research papers discussing ocular anatomy, physiology, or pathology.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation. An average speaker would say 'part of the eye' or not know the term.
Technical
The primary context. Used in ophthalmology clinics, surgical notes, optometric examinations, and pharmacology (e.g., drugs affecting the ciliary body).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “ciliary body”
Strong
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ciliary body”
- Mispronunciation: 'kill-ee-ary' or 'sill-ee-air-ee'. Correct first syllable is /ˈsɪl/.
- Misspelling: 'cilliery', 'ciliatory'.
- Using it as a plural (e.g., 'ciliary bodies') when referring to the structure in one eye.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are completely different structures. The retina is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye, while the ciliary body is a ring of tissue behind the iris involved in fluid production and focusing.
Not directly. However, when it becomes inflamed or when the muscle is strained during prolonged focusing (like reading), you may feel a dull ache around or behind the eye.
The ciliary body produces the aqueous humour. In glaucoma, the drainage of this fluid is often impaired, leading to increased pressure. Some treatments aim to reduce the production of fluid by the ciliary body.
Etymologically, yes. Both come from Latin 'cilium' meaning eyelash or eyelid. Anatomically, 'ciliary' refers to structures related to the ciliary body and muscle, not to the eyelashes themselves.
A circular structure in the eye, located behind the iris, that produces aqueous humour and contains the muscle which controls the shape of the lens for focusing.
Ciliary body is usually technical/specialized in register.
Ciliary body: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪl.i.ə.ri ˈbɒd.i/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪl.i.ˌer.i ˈbɑː.di/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'silly area' (sounds like 'ciliary') in your eye that's a busy 'body' producing fluid and flexing the lens to help you focus—it's the eye's internal gym and waterworks.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE EYE'S PUMP AND FOCUS RING; A MUSCULAR SUSPENSION BRIDGE FOR THE LENS.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of the ciliary body?