Anatomy & Function of the Eye

Part

Location

Function

Cornea

A tough, clear covering over

the iris and pupil on the
outside of the eye.

Helps protect the eye. The cornea bends the light on its way
into the eye to help make the image.

Iris

Suspended between the

cornea and the lens.

Pupil

Dark circle in the center of

the iris.

Lets light into the inner eye and uses the iris muscles to
control the amount of light that is let in.

Behind the pupil and iris.

A flexible clear structure that makes an image on the eyes

retina. It can change shape, focusing on objects that are
close or far away.

Cillary
Muscle
s

Used to protect the eyeball

from damage.

Circular muscles that relax of tighten to enable the lens to

change shape. Used for focusing.

Retina

The layer of light-sensitive

cells at the back of the eye.

Blind
Spot

At the back of the eye near

the optic nerve.

Where the optic nerve leaves the retina where there are no
light sensitive cells.

Optic
Nerve

At the back of the eye

connecting to the brain.

A bundle of nerve fibres that send information from the

retina to the brain.

Vitreou
s
humor.

In the middle of the eyeball.

Sclera.

The thick, tough, white outer

covering of the eyeball.

Lens

A tissue that has a hole in the center called the pupil. The iris
contains muscles that allow the pupil to become larger or
smaller, adjusting the amount of light that can enter the
pupil.

The retina detects the images focused by the cornea and the
lens and sends the image to the brains via the optic nerve.

A thick jelly that gives the eyeball its shape.

Used to protect the eyeball from damage.