What does canthi mean?
Canthi are the corners of the eyes — specifically, the points where the upper and lower eyelids meet at each eye's inner and outer edges. Anatomists distinguish the medial canthus, nearest the nose, from the lateral canthus, toward the temple, giving four canthi in total across the face. The word comes from the ancient Greek 'kanthos' and entered scientific vocabulary through Latin, which explains its classical plural form in '-i' rather than an English-style '-uses'. Because it is a precise clinical term, 'canthi' appears almost exclusively in anatomy textbooks, ophthalmology reports, and plastic-surgery literature, where exact description matters; everyday speakers would simply refer to 'the corner of the eye'. Familiarity with the term helps readers navigate medical writing about tear drainage, eyelid reconstruction, and facial measurements, since these structures anchor several important landmarks of the eye region.
nounCanthi is the plural of 'canthus', referring to the two corners of the eye where the upper and lower eyelids meet — the inner (nasal) corner near the nose and the outer (temporal) corner toward the temple.
- The plural form of 'canthus': either of the two angles or corners formed by the meeting of the eyelids at each eye, used chiefly in anatomy, ophthalmology, and cosmetic surgery.
"The ophthalmologist examined both canthi carefully for signs of inflammation."
"Tears drain away through tiny openings near the medial canthi, close to the nose."
"In reconstructive surgery, precise alignment of the canthi is essential to restore a natural eye shape."
'Canthi' is itself the standard plural of 'canthus'; the plural follows the Latin pattern rather than taking '-es'. Each eye contributes one medial and one lateral canthus.
"Both canthi were free of scarring following the procedure."
Your eyes have four named corners — two per eye — and anatomists call them canthi, a term borrowed straight from the ancient Greeks.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of canthi
Canthi derives ultimately from the ancient Greek 'kanthos', meaning the corner of the eye. The term passed into New Latin as 'canthus', from which modern anatomy borrowed it along with its regular Latin plural in '-i'. Related forms include the adjective 'canthal' and the compound 'epicanthus', denoting a skin fold over the inner eye corner.
Related word forms
How canthi is actually used
A technical term encountered mainly in medical, anatomical, and cosmetic-surgery contexts; rarely used in everyday speech, where people simply say 'the corner of the eye'. The singular is 'canthus'; each eye has a lateral (outer) and a medial (inner) canthus.
Easily confused with canthi
'Canti' is the plural of 'cantus' (a melody or song in music), whereas 'canthi' refers to the corners of the eye.