% CHAPTER 20 - ORGANS OF SPECIAL SENSE Histology Guide
! " Sclera # $
Eye
(Major Structures)
Eyes are the sensory organs responsible for vision. Light is
focused by the lens on the retina.
Each eye forms a bulb that is divided into two parts:
Aqueous Chamber - region anterior to the lens.
Anterior Chamber - in front of the iris.
Posterior Chamber - behind the iris.
Aqueous Humor - clear fluid that flow from the posterior
chamber to the anterior chamber and leaves the eye
through the Schlemm's canal.
Vitreous Chamber - region posterior to the lens.
Vitreous Body - transparent gelatinous substance that fills
the cavity.
The wall of the eye is composed of three concentric layers (or
tunics). In this specimen, they are easily identified because
they separated during preparation.
Fibrous Tunic - outer layer
Uveal Tunic - pigmented middle layer
Retinal Tunic - innermost layer
The next pages explain these in more detail.
100 µm
431 x 415 µm
& ' ( ) * Share
MHS 302 Eye
Fibrous Tunic
Fibrous Tunic is the outer layer of the optic wall composed of
the opaque sclera and the transparent cornea.
Sclera - opaque, heavily vascularized connective tissue that
covers the posterior 5/6th of the eye.
Conjunctiva - mucous membrane (a stratified squamous
epithelium) covering the anterior sclera (and lining the
inner surface of eyelids).
Cornea - transparent, avascular connective tissue that
covers the anterior 1/6th of the eye. It is composed of five
layers:
Corneal Epithelium - non-keratinized stratified squamous
epithelium that covers its anterior surface exposed to air.
Bowman Membrane - a distinctive layer of collagen fibers
(7 to 12 µm thick).
Stroma - avascular layer of collagen fibers and
fibroblasts. The thickest layer of the cornea.
Descemet's Membrane - a thick (5 to 10 µm) basement
membrane underneath the corneal endothelium.
Corneal Endothelium - simple squamous epithelium that
covers the posterior surface exposed to the aqueous
humor.
Limbus - the junction of the opaque sclera and transparent
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