macula lutea macula lu·te·a (lōō'tē-ə)
n. pl. maculae lu·te·ae (lōō'tē-ē')
A minute yellowish area containing the fovea centralis located near the center of the retina of the eye, at which visual perception is most acute. Also called macula retinae, Soemmering's spot, yellow spot.
in anatomy, the small yellowish area of the retina near the optic disk that provides central vision. When the gaze is fixed on any object, the centre of the macula, the centre of the lens, and the object are in a straight line. In the centre of the macula is a depression, called the fovea, which contains specialized nerve cells that are exclusively of the type known as cones. Cones are associated with colour vision and perception of fine detail. Toward the centre of the macula there are no blood vessels to interfere with vision; thus, in this area, vision in bright light and colour perception are keenest.