The Eye Structure - Macro and Microscopic
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Transcript The Eye Structure - Macro and Microscopic
Macro and Microscopic
Protected by bony orbits of the skull
Send information to brain directly via optic
nerve.
From 2 outgrowths of the brain that form the
optic nerves & the optic cup:
The posterior lining of the eye contains
photoreceptors
In a mature eye called the retina
Palpebrae: eyelids!
Thin flaps of skin
Controlled by orbicular
muscles
Close when objects are
placed near the eye: reflex
arc
Eyelashes
Edges of eyelid
Protect from dirt
1. Iris
2. Lacrimal caruncle
5. Lower lid
7. Pupil
8. Sclera
9. Upper lid
Sclera
Choroid
Retina
Tough, outermost, white layer
Surrounds and protects the eyeball.
Its front surface, the cornea, is transparent to
let light enter the eye.
Lacks blood vessels
Gets nutrition through diffusion
Ideal for transplants
The choroid coat is the middle layer of the
eyeball.
Consists of the colored portion of the eye
known as the iris.
Iris has a hole in its center called the pupil.
Light enters through the pupil and the size of the
pupil is regulated by the iris.
Constricting = parasympathetic muscles
Dilating = Sympathetic muscles
Too much light “bleaches” the photopigment,
rhodopsin to opsin
Reduces ability to see
Opsin must be “reconverted” to rhodopsin
This is related to “night vision” issues with
sudden darkness…
Transparent body
Lies directly behind the pupil
Held in place by ciliary muscles (run in
circular, longitudinal, radial orientation;
change lens shape)
Focuses light rays of images on the retina
Images inverted (both L to R and Up to Down)
Visual cortex reorients these
Increases amount of energy reaching
photoreceptive cells
What happens when source moves closer?
All light isn’t focused on retina
Makes image “fuzzy” because adjacent cells
stimulated
An “accommodating” lens clears image
up by refocusing light
Close image = ROUND lens (decreases radius of
curvature)
Far image = FLAT lens (increases radius of
curvature)
To round the lens, contract muscles in ciliary
body:
Contracting a circular muscle reduces the aperture
This decreases the tension on the suspensory
ligaments, allowing lens to “round up”
Innermost layer of the eyeball.
Contains microscopic structures:
Rods
▪ Low-light
▪ Non-color vision
Cones
▪ Bright-light
▪ Color vision
At center of retina, have fovea centralis
Concentration of cone cells
1:1 cell/neuron ratio (gives good resolution)
Farther outward, mix of rods and cones, with
just rods in peripheral vision
Mostly b & w, low-light, low-resolution peripheral
vision
Eye directs fovea centralis at objects to
maximize clarity
A “blind spot” occurs where the optic nerve/tract
exits the eye
Optimal vision
Blind spot
Aqueous humor—in the anterior cavity in
front of the lens
Provides nutrients to cornea, lens, other
structures
Vitreous humor—in the posterior cavity
behind the lens
Gelatinous
Holds retina to outer wall of choroid
May contain “floaters”, which must be removed
surgically
Mucous membrane covering the front surface
of the sclera and lining the eyelid
Produces tears
Barrier to microbes
Susceptible to trauma, infections, chemical
irritation, and allergic reactions
Conjunctiva: thin, transparent
epithelium covers the surface
Tiny blood vessels
Innermost layer of retina contains rods and
cones
Impulse travels from the rods and cones
through the bipolar and ganglionic layers of
retina
Nerve impulse leaves the eye through the
optic nerve; the point of exit is free of
receptors and is therefore called a blind spot
Visual interpretation occurs in the visual
cortex of the cerebrum