-jēəm noun
( plural pterygiums -mz ; or pteryg·ia -ēə)
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek pterygion little wing, fin, from pteryg- + -ion (diminutive suffix)
1.
a. : a triangular fleshy mass of thickened conjunctiva occurring usually at the inner side of the eyeball, covering part of the cornea, and causing a disturbance of vision
b. : a forward growth of the cuticle over the nail
2. : a generalized limb of a vertebrate
3. : one of the lobes at the end of the snout of a weevil