What is "chalazion"

Chalazion \Cha*la"zi*on\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? dim. of ? hail, pimple.] (Med.) A small circumscribed tumor of the eyelid caused by retention of secretion, and by inflammation of the Melbomian glands.

small tumor in the eyelid, 1708, from Greek khalazion, diminutive of khalaza "hail, hailstone; small lump or knot; pimple," from PIE root *gheled- "hail."

n. A cyst in the eyelid, caused by inflammation of a blocked meibomian gland.

n. a small sebaceous cyst of the eyelid resulting when a Meibomian gland is blocked [syn: Meibomian cyst]

A chalazion (; plural chalazia ), also known as a meibomian gland lipogranuloma, is a cyst in the eyelid that is caused by inflammation of a blocked meibomian gland, usually on the upper eyelid. Chalazia differ from styes (hordeola) in that they are subacute and usually painless nodules. They may become acutely inflamed, but unlike a stye, chalazia usually sit inside the lid rather than on the lid margin.

Chalazion is a genus of fungi in the family Pyronemataceae.