n. pl. con·junc·ti·vas or con·junc·ti·vae (-vē) The mucous membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelid and the exposed surface of the eyeball. [Middle English, from Medieval Latin (membrāna) coniūnctīva, connective (membrane), feminine of Late Latin coniūnctīvus, connective, from Latin coniūnctus, past participle of coniungere, to join together; see CONJOIN.] con′junc·tival (-vəl) adj. |
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