Anatomy of the Eye

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anterior chamber - the front section of the eye's interior where aqueous humor flow occurs.

aqueous humor - the clear, watery fluid produced by the ciliary body.

blood vessels - tubes (arteries and veins) that carry blood to and from the eye.

caruncle - a small, fleshy portion in the nasal corner of the eye that contains modified sebaceous and sweat glands.

choroid - the thin, blood-rich layer that lies between the retina and the sclera; responsible for supplying blood to the retina.

ciliary body - the part of the eye that produces aqueous humor.

cornea - the clear, dome-shaped surface in front of the eye.

iris - the colored part of the eye; the muscle which controls the size of the pupil.

lens (also called crystalline lens) - the transparent structure inside the eye that focuses light rays onto the retina.

lower eyelid - lower, inferior, skin that covers the front of the eyeball when closed.

macula - specialized region of the retina which allows us to see fine details.

optic nerve - a bundle of nerve fibers that connect the retina with the brain. The optic nerve carries signals of light, dark, and colors to the area of the brain (the visual cortex), which assembles the signals into images (i.e., our vision).

posterior chamber - the intraocular space posterior to the lens.

pupil - the opening in the middle of the iris through which light passes to the retina.

retina - the light-sensitive nerve layer that lines the back of the eye. The retina senses light and creates impulses that are sent through the optic nerve to the brain.

sclera - the white visible portion of the eyeball. The muscles that move the eyeball are attached to the sclera.

suspensory ligament of lens - a series of fibers that connect the ciliary body of the eye with the lens, holding it in place.

upper eyelid - top, movable, superior fold of skin that covers the front of the eye when closed.

vitreous body - a clear, jelly-like substance that fills the posterior chamber.

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