fovea (pl. foveae)
1. A small depression or pit.

2. In the retina of most diurnal vertebrates, a shallow depression that contains cones but no rods, and has no blood vessels or layer of nerve fibres between the cones and the incoming light. Incoming light can be focused on to the fovea to produce a sharp image of the object being observed. Compare MACULA.

fovea (fovea centralis) A shallow depression in the retina of the eye, opposite the lens, that is present in some vertebrates. This area contains a large concentration of cones with only a thin layer of overlying nerves. It is therefore specialized for the perception of colour and sharp intense images. The clarity is enhanced when light is focused on the foveae of both retinas simultaneously. See binocular vision.

fovea (foh-viă) n. (in anatomy) a small depression, especially the shallow pit in the retina at the back of the eye. It contains a large number of cones and is therefore the area of greatest acuity of vision. See also macula (lutea).

fovea A small depression or pit.