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macula lutea

macula

An oval field of retina lying temporal to the posterior pole of the eye and slightly below the level of the optic disc, the macula lutea takes its name from the yellow pigment that diffusely permeates its inner layers. At its centre sits the fovea centralis, and the macula as a whole provides the sharpest photopic visual acuity of any part of the retina. Its vascular arrangement is unusual: the macula is devoid of retinal blood vessels except at its periphery, and is instead nourished by the choriocapillaris of the underlying choroid. Because acuity in bright light depends on this small area rather than on the wider retina, its structural integrity governs central detailed vision. The region is also recorded under the names yellow spot, foveal area, central retinal area, area centralis, and macular region.

An oval area in the retina, usually located temporal to the posterior pole of the eye and slightly below the level of the optic disk. It is characterized by the presence of a yellow pigment diffusely permeating the inner layers, contains the fovea centralis in its center, and provides the best phototopic visual acuity. It is devoid of retinal blood vessels, except in its periphery, and receives nourishment from the choriocapillaris of the choroid. (From Cline et al., Dictionary of Visual Science, 4th ed).

On this page
유형 Vessel
상위 구조물 organ part
라틴어 명칭 macula
FMA ID 58637

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the macula lutea appear yellow?

The macula lutea gets its name from its yellow color (Latin: 'yellow spot'), which is caused by the accumulation of xanthophyll carotenoid pigments — primarily lutein and zeaxanthin — in the inner retinal layers. These pigments act as short-wavelength light filters, reducing chromatic aberration and protecting photoreceptors from blue light and phototoxic damage.

What is the central structure within the macula lutea?

At the center of the macula lutea lies the fovea centralis — a small pit where the retina thins out and inner layers are displaced peripherally, allowing maximum photoreceptor density. The fovea contains almost exclusively cone photoreceptors (approximately 150,000 per mm²) and no rods, making it the site of highest visual acuity and color discrimination. The very center of the fovea is the foveola.

What conditions affect the macula lutea?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in older adults, involving progressive damage to the macula. AMD has two forms: dry (atrophic, with drusen deposits and geographic atrophy) and wet (neovascular, with choroidal neovascularization causing rapid central vision loss). Other macular conditions include macular hole, diabetic macular edema, and epiretinal membrane — all impairing central vision while typically sparing peripheral vision.

References

  1. Foundational Model of Anatomy — FMA:58637 Reference anatomy ontology (University of Washington)
  2. UBERON — UBERON:0000053 Cross-species anatomy ontology (EMBL-EBI Ontology Lookup Service)
  3. Wikipedia — macula lutea Encyclopedia article (verified cross-reference)

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Educational Disclaimer

This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical decisions.

Data sources: Terminologia Anatomica, Foundational Model of Anatomy, Wikidata.