pars plana
Pronunciation: parz PLAN-ah
The flat anterior portion of the ciliary body where surgical entry is made for vitreoretinal procedures.
Full Definition
The pars plana is the flat, non-pigmented anterior portion of the ciliary body, located approximately 3.5-4 mm posterior to the limbus. This anatomical landmark is crucial for ophthalmic editors as it defines the standard entry point for vitreoretinal surgery. Procedures performed through this approach are termed 'pars plana' surgeries, and proper capitalization and hyphenation conventions vary between surgical descriptions and anatomical references. The term appears frequently in operative reports and requires careful attention to context-dependent styling.
Usage
Usage note: Often appears in compound terms like 'pars plana vitrectomy' - ensure consistent hyphenation per institutional style guides.
In Context
- "A 25-gauge pars plana approach was utilized for the membrane peeling procedure." — Operative report
- "The pars plana entry site showed no signs of inflammation at the one-week follow-up." — Clinical documentation