bulbar
Eyeball-Related (or Brainstem-Related)
Plain-language definition
In ophthalmology, “bulbar” usually means relating to the eyeball - for example, the bulbar conjunctiva is the membrane covering the white of the eye. In neurology, the same word means relating to the lower brainstem (medulla); bulbar weakness in myasthenia gravis affects swallowing, speech, and facial muscles.
- Category
- Anatomy
- Also written as
- No alternate forms listed.
Anatomy terms name the eye, orbit, optic nerve, retina, or visual pathway structures that may appear in an exam note or imaging report.
A note on medical context
A glossary definition can explain a word, but it cannot tell you whether a symptom or test result is serious. If this term came from an article, use the full article and your clinician's guidance for context.