meibomian cyst: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “meibomian cyst” mean?
A small, benign swelling or lump on the eyelid caused by a blocked meibomian gland, which produces the oily part of tears.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, benign swelling or lump on the eyelid caused by a blocked meibomian gland, which produces the oily part of tears.
A chronic, non-infectious cyst that forms when the duct of a meibomian gland in the eyelid becomes obstructed, leading to a painless accumulation of sebaceous material. It is also known as a chalazion and differs from an acute stye (hordeolum).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term 'meibomian cyst' is used in both varieties. 'Chalazion' is the more common professional term in both, but British medical texts may sometimes use 'meibomian cyst' more frequently in patient-facing materials.
Connotations
Purely medical/clinical; no social or cultural connotations.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in everyday language. Used almost exclusively by healthcare professionals (ophthalmologists, optometrists, GPs) and informed patients.
Grammar
How to Use “meibomian cyst” in a Sentence
[Patient] has/developed a meibomian cyst.The [ophthalmologist] diagnosed/treated/drained the meibomian cyst.A meibomian cyst [forms/occurs] on/in the [upper/lower] eyelid.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “meibomian cyst” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The meibomian gland dysfunction was underlying.
American English
- She had meibomian gland dysfunction.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical and biological texts, ophthalmology research papers, and clinical studies.
Everyday
Rarely used. An average person might say 'I have a lump on my eyelid' or 'I have a stye'.
Technical
Core term in ophthalmology, optometry, dermatology, and general medical practice for describing a specific eyelid pathology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “meibomian cyst”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “meibomian cyst”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meibomian cyst”
- Pronouncing it as 'may-boh-mee-an' instead of 'my-boh-mee-an'.
- Confusing it with an infectious stye (hordeolum).
- Misspelling as 'miobian', 'meiboman', or 'meibonian'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not contagious as it is caused by a blockage, not an infection.
Initial treatment often involves warm compresses. Persistent cysts may be treated with steroid injections or minor surgical drainage.
A stye (hordeolum) is usually painful and caused by an acute bacterial infection of an eyelash follicle. A meibomian cyst (chalazion) is typically painless and chronic, caused by a blocked gland.
Yes, many smaller cysts resolve spontaneously over several weeks with regular warm compresses.
A small, benign swelling or lump on the eyelid caused by a blocked meibomian gland, which produces the oily part of tears.
Meibomian cyst is usually technical/medical in register.
Meibomian cyst: in British English it is pronounced /maɪˈbəʊ.mi.ən sɪst/, and in American English it is pronounced /maɪˈboʊ.mi.ən sɪst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MY EYE's BOO-BOO is a Meibomian cyst' – it happens on the eyelid (eye) and is a bothersome lump (boo-boo).
Conceptual Metaphor
A BLOCKED PIPELINE / CLOGGED DRAIN: The gland's duct is a pipe that gets blocked, causing a backup and a build-up (the cyst).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary cause of a meibomian cyst?