Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye

Superior Rectus Muscle

The superior rectus muscle is a muscle in the orbit
that elevates, adducts, and rotates the eye medially.
Scelera
The sclera is the white outer coating of the eye. It is
made of tough fibrin connective tissue. It gives the eye
its shape and helps to protect the delicate inner parts.
Iris
The iris is the colored part of the eye. It opens up in
dark rooms and at night to let more light into the eye.
Conversely, in bright lights the iris constricts to
decrease the amount of light that enters the back of
the eye.
Lens
The lens is responsible for helping to fine adjust the
focus of the eye. The lens changes shape to allow
clear vision both in the distance and for reading.
Cornea
The cornea is the curved, transparent layer that
covers the front part of the eye and protects its inner
structures. Together with the lens, the cornea refracts light and consequently helps the
eye to focus. The cornea gives a
larger contribution to the total refraction than the lens, but whereas the curvature of the
lens can be adjusted to "tune" the
focus, the curvature of the cornea is fixed.
The cornea has sensitive nerve endings; touch of the cornea causes an involuntary
reflex to close the eyelid. Because
transparency is of prime importance, the cornea does not have blood vessels; it
receives nutrients via diffusion from the
tear fluid at the outside and the aqueous humour at the inside. In humans, the cornea
has a diameter of about 12 mm and
a thickness of 0.5 - 0.7 mm in the centre and 1.0 - 1.2 mm at the periphery.
Anterior Chamber
Between the cornea and the iris is a space called the anterior chamber. This space is
filled with a clear water-like solution.
Conjunctiva
The conjunctiva is a membrane that covers the sclera (white part of the eye) and lines
the inside of the eyelids. It helps
lubricate the eye by producing mucus and tears, although not as much tears as the
lacrimal gland.
Inferior Rectus Muscle
The inferior rectus muscle is a muscle in the orbit that depresses, adducts, and rotates
the eye laterally. As with most of
the muscles of the orbit, it is innervated by the oculomotor nerve (Cranial Nerve III).
Optic Nerve
The optic nerve is the nerve that transmits visual information from the retina to the brain.
Fovea Centralis
The word fovea refers to any small pit or depression in the surface of a structure or
organ. The Fovea Centralis is a small
depression in the centre of the macula lutea of the retina. The average diameter is 0.3
mm and the area is rod-free area
with very thin, densely packed cones, allowing for a point of maximal focus.
Retina
The retina is a thin film of tissue (like film in a camera) where images are brought into
focus. The retina lines the inside
surface of the eyeball. The retina is connected to the brain where the visual signals are
processed.
Vitreous
The vitreous is a clear jelly-like material which fills the inside of the eyeball. Light passes
through the vitreous on it's way
to being focused onto the retina.
Pupil
The pupil is the black spot in the centre of the iris. Actually, the pupil is the name given
to the opening in the iris through