punctum

[pungk´tum] (L.)

a point or small spot.

punctum cae´cum blind spot.

punctum lacrima´le (pl. punc´ta lacrima´lia), an opening of a lacrimal duct on the edge of the eyelid.

punctum prox´imum near point.

punctum remo´tum far point.

punc´ta vasculo´sa minute red spots that mark the cut surface of white matter of the brain.

punc·tum

, gen.

punc·ti

, pl.

punc·ta

(pŭngk'tŭm, -tī, -tă), [TA]

1. The tip or end of a sharp process.

2. A minute round spot differing in color or otherwise in appearance from the surrounding tissues.

3. A point on the optic axis of an optic system.

Synonym(s): point (1)

punc·tum

, pl. puncta (pŭngk'tŭm, -tă) [TA]

1. The tip of a sharp process.

2. A minute round spot differing in color or otherwise in appearance from the surrounding tissues.

3. The opening into the lacrimal drainage system in the upper and lower eyelids.
Synonym(s): point (1) .

[L. a prick, point, pp. ntr. of pungo, to prick, used as noun]

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

Punctum

Tiny opening at the inner corners of the upper and lower lids. The area for the beginning of tear drainage.

Mentioned in: Dacryocystitis

punc·tum

, pl. puncta (pŭngk'tŭm, -tă) [TA]

1. Tip or end of a sharp process.

2. Minute round spot differing in color or otherwise in appearance from the surrounding tissues.
Synonym(s): point (1) .

[L. a prick, point, pp. ntr. of pungo, to prick, used as noun]

Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

Fried (2005) argues that too many critics think of punctum as a singular subjective experience and not a meaningful element of photographic composition.

Instagrams that wound: Punctum, visual enthymemes, and the visual argumentation of the Transportation Security Administration

One animal from the GB group was presented with severe inflammatory reaction characterized by conjuctival hyperemia, chemosis, episcleral congestion and severe mucous discharge on the first day after the occlusion of the lacrimal punctum. Another animal from the same group developed severe pruritus two days after occlusion.

Temporary occlusion of the inferior lacrimal punctum and canaliculi of dogs with n-butyl-cyanoacrylate and 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate/Oclusao temporaria do ponto e canaliculo lacrimais inferiores de caes com n-butil-cianoacrilato e 2-octil- cianoacrilato

But, based on my reading of Barthes's self-exposure to photography, this form of writing is able to "repeat" the experience of a photograph's punctum. Intradiegetically, however, the photograph signifies first and foremost a certain relation to her reality and to time.

Evoking a memory of the future in Foer's Everything is Illuminated

There was no evidence of a punctum. Two similar 2-3-cm lesions on her left leg appeared 3 days after the first lesion.

Erythema migrans-like illness among Caribbean islanders

From the point of view of studium, it is the bridge Marco Polo sees--as Calvino explains in the citation of the introduction--whereas that singular old crumbling stone is a possible 'punctum' in the view of the arch.

Visual praxis: moving the body, the world and the self

In a later section of his book Barthes discerns another type of punctum, which does not occur as a detail.

Men on wire: performing 9/11

Stockton-based Visualsoft won the Design of the Year title at the 2009 Punctum Day Awards, hosted by global royalty-free images website iStock Photo.

Visualsoft wins international design award title

This month the team was named winner of the Design of the Year Award in the 2009 Punctum Day Awards, hosted by the royalty-free stock destination iStock Photo, for its online clothing store created for Jonathan Trumbull and Hatters, a Norwich based boutique.

Designer e-tail tale