papilledema /pap′ilədē″mə/ pl. papilledemas, papilledemata [L, papilla + Gk, oidema, swelling] , swelling of the optic disc, visible on ophthalmoscopic examination of the fundus of the eye, caused by increase in intracranial pressure. The meningeal sheaths that surround the optic nerves from the optic disc are continuous with the meninges of the brain; therefore increased intracranial pressure is transmitted forward from the brain to the optic disc in the eye to cause swelling. Also spelled papilloedema.
