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.

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.

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.

Lens

Behind the pupil and iris.

Cillary
Muscles

Surrounding the lens.

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.

Optic
Nerve

At the back of the eye

connecting to the brain.

Vitreous
humor.

In the middle of the eyeball.

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.

Circular muscles that relax of tighten to enable the lens to change

shape. Used for focusing.

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

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

A bundle of nerve fibres that send information from the retina to the
brain.

A thick jelly that gives the eyeball its shape.

Sclera.

The thick, tough, white outer

covering of the eyeball.

Used to protect the eyeball from damage.