Eye Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards

Eyelid

structure that blocks external debris and helps lubricate eye

Blink reflex

semi-autonomous way to block foreign bodies from entering the eye;
assisted by the eyelashes

Tear Duct

small openings that drain tears into the nasal cavity

Lacrimal gland

release tears onto surface of eye

Sclera

Supports and protects the eye; makes up most of outer layer and optic nerve
"white of eye

Sclera (diagram)

eyelashes

hairs that help block debris from entering eye

Cornea

Dome shaped and clear, this structure covers the pupil, iris, and
anterior chamber
protects the iris and pupil
provides much of the eye's focusing power

Cornea (diagram)

structure labelled A

Meibomian Glands

found at rim of eyelids ; produce oily substance that helps prevent
evaporation of tear film.

Conjuctiva

Lines the inside of the upper and lower eyelids
Continuous with the cornea
Lies on top of sclera

Pupil

small hole that controls how much light enters your eye

Iris

Controls the size of the pupil

Lens

Focuses the light that enters your eye

Lens Diagram

Structure labelled F

Suspensory ligaments

Connect the ciliary muscles to the crystalline lens

Anterior Chamber

Acts as a channel for the aqueous humor to travel through
located between the iris and the inner layer of the cornea

Diagram of anterior chamber

Structure labelled F

Aqueous humor

contains electrolytes, ascorbic acid, and amino acids
provides nutrients and oxygen
helps maintain pressure and keep anterior and posterior chamber inflated

ciliary body

controls the shape of the crystalline lens and produces the aqueous humor
circular in shape, it separates the posterior chamber from the vitreous

Ciliary body diagram

structure labelled H

Vitreous

Clear gel that exerts pressure on the inside of the eye
function of this pressure is to keep retinal layers tightly pressed together

Vitreous diagram

Structure labelled E

Macula

highly sensitive circular area that is responsible for providing
detail and color to your vision in bright light conditions
part of retina that produces central vision
structure of eye that is used to detect detail and reading/close work

Fovea

Part of the retina that provides sharp and accurate color vision
small dip in the retina at the center of the macula

Retina

Layer of photosensitive cells that process and convert light energy
into electrical signals. The signals are then transmitted to brain
through optic nerve and interpreted as images.

Optic disc

optic nerve head; beginning and innermost section of optic nerve in retina
has no photoreceptors
does not react to light

optic nerve

transmits impulses received from retina to the visual cortex in the
brain, forming an image in our minds

Rods

Greater sensitivity to dim light
helps you see in dark
not sensitive to color

Cones

found mainly in fovea
responsible for color vision in bright light
helps you see detail and color in day

Diagram of iris

structure labelled E

Diagram of pupil

Structure labelled C

Diagram of vitreous humor

Structure labelled K

Diagram of Retina

Structure labelled C

Diagram of Optic nerve

Structure labelled D