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Glite Dictionary
Schlemm's canal

Schlemm's canal

9.2
A small circular channel in the eye that drains fluid from the front of the eye into nearby veins
  • noun
  • /ˈʃlɛmz ˈkænəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : canal de Schlemm
  • If Schlemm's canal is blocked, it can lead to increased pressure in the eye.

Examples

  • The doctor explained how Schlemm's canal helps maintain the eye's fluid balance.

  • A blockage in Schlemm's canal may result in serious vision problems.

  • The area extending from Schlemm's canal to the uveal scleral layer of the TM was used for quantification.

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Synonyms

canal of Schlemm
vsSchlemm's canal
  • Specialized
1 7.8

Circular channel in the eye that drains fluid into veins to keep eye pressure normal

focuses on drainage specifically into the anterior ciliary veins rather than pressure control
sinus venosus sclerae
vsSchlemm's canal
  • Specialized
9.9

A ring-shaped channel in the eye that drains fluid into veins

is the same structure but uses a different anatomical name

Surface Forms

Schlemm's canal singular
Schlemm's canals plural
Schlemm canals plural
Schlemm canal singular

Morphology

Schlemm's + canal

This is an eponymous anatomical term: 'Schlemm's' is a proper name that does not carry descriptive semantic content for learners, while 'canal' signals a bodily passage. A B1 learner who knows 'canal' would infer a generic channel but could not derive the specific ophthalmological function or location (aqueous humor drainage of the anterior chamber), so the expression is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Schlemm's canal is named after the doctor Friedrich Schlemm, who found a tiny canal in the eye that 'drains' fluid away from the front of the eye. That's why the name now refers to the small channel that helps keep eye pressure normal.