Ocular Anatomy, Neuroanatomy, and Cataract Surgery

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering ocular anatomy, vascular supply, retinal histology, neuro-ophthalmic pathways, autonomic innervation, and cataract surgery steps.

Uvea

The middle (vascular) layer of the eye composed of the iris, ciliary body, and choroid.

Miosis

Pupillary constriction that results in a small pupil.

Mydriasis

Pupillary dilation that results in a large pupil.

Collarette

The landmark dividing the iris into the pupillary zone and the ciliary zone.

Fuch's Crypts

Depressions on the iris surface that allow aqueous humor to enter and exit the stroma.

Anterior Border Layer of the Iris

The iris layer composed of fibroblasts, melanocytes, and collagen fibrils.

Iris Stroma

Iris layer composed of connective tissue, non-pigmented cells, and pigmented cells.

Iris Sphincter Muscle

Smooth muscle located in the stromal pupillary zone innervated by the parasympathetic nervous system that constricts the pupil causing miosis.

Iris Dilator Muscle

Radially arranged smooth muscle of the anterior iris epithelium innervated by the sympathetic nervous system that enlarges the pupil creating mydriasis.

Deep Structural Furrows of Schwalbe

Structural furrows located on the posterior iris surface alongside radial contraction furrows.

Pars Plana and Pars Plicata

The two anatomical divisions of the ciliary body.

Ciliary Muscle

Smooth muscle of the ciliary body composed of longitudinal, radial, and circular fibers.

Ciliary Epithelium

Epithelial structure composed of pigmented and nonpigmented ciliary epithelium that functions to secrete aqueous humor.

Choroid

The vascular layer located internal to the sclera and external to the retina, composed of the suprachoroid, choroidal stroma, choriocapillaris, and Bruch's membrane.

Suprachoroidal Space

The choroidal space through which long posterior ciliary arteries and nerves travel from the posterior to the anterior globe.

Haller's Layer

The tier of the choroidal stroma that contains large blood vessels.

Sattler's Layer

The tier of the choroidal stroma that contains medium blood vessels.

Choriocapillaris

A specialized capillary bed made up of a single layer of anastomosing, fenestrated capillaries containing pericytes that alter local blood flow.

Bruch's Membrane

The most internal layer of the choroid.

Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE)

The outermost retinal layer containing lysosomes that phagocytize discs from the outer portion of photoreceptor cells.

Rhodopsin

Molecules found in the disc membranes of outer segments created by the combination of vitamin A (retinal) and opsin.

Cilium (Photoreceptor)

The stalk that connects the outer and inner segments of rods and cones.

Ellipsoid

The region of the photoreceptor inner segment that contains mitochondria.

Myoid

The region of the photoreceptor inner segment in which protein synthesis occurs.

Spherule

The synaptic terminal of a rod cell.

Pedicle

The synaptic terminal of a cone cell.

External Limiting Membrane

The retinal layer created by the junctional involvement of photoreceptor cells and Müller cells.

Outer Nuclear Layer

The retinal layer that contains the cell bodies of photoreceptors.

Outer Plexiform Layer

The retinal layer containing synapses between photoreceptor cells, bipolar cells, and horizontal cells.

Horizontal Cells

Retinal cells that transfer visual information horizontally, parallel to the retinal surface.

Amacrine Cells

Retinal cells located in the inner nuclear layer that help modulate information transmitted from bipolar cells to ganglion cells.

Interplexiform Neurons

Retinal cells that provide feedback between the inner and outer retinal layers.

Müller Cells

Retinal neuroglial cells involved in glucose metabolism that provide support and structure to retinal tissue.

Microglial Cells

Phagocytic neuroglial cells that wander throughout all layers of the retina.

Astrocytes

Neuroglial cells located in the inner retina within the nerve fiber and ganglion cell layers.

Inner Plexiform Layer

The retinal layer containing synapses between bipolar cells and ganglion cells.

Ganglion Cells

Retinal cells classified into several groups depending on visual pathway termination, whose axons comprise the nerve fiber layer.

Internal Limiting Membrane

The innermost layer of the retina.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin

The two xanthophyll pigments found in the macula.

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

A fast, non-invasive imaging test that uses light waves to take high-resolution, cross-sectional pictures of the retina.

Central Retinal Artery

The first branch of the ophthalmic artery, located within the nerve fiber layer (NFL) of the retina.

Hyphema

Blood in the anterior chamber caused by compromise of the major arterial circle of the iris.

Vortex Veins

Venous structures through which choroidal blood drains.

Infratrochlear Nerve

A branch of the nasociliary nerve that supplies sensory innervation to the caruncle and canaliculi.

Accommodative Convergence Reaction

A reflex reaction involving medial rectus muscle contraction, ciliary muscle accommodation, and iris sphincter constriction.

Pretectal Nucleus

Midbrain nucleus where afferent pupillary light fibers synapse before splitting equally to the ipsilateral and contralateral Edinger-Westphal nuclei.

Edinger-Westphal Nucleus

A midbrain parasympathetic nucleus from which preganglionic pupillomotor fibers travel with the inferior division of CN III to synapse in the ciliary ganglion.

Optic Chiasm

The visual pathway structure located below the third ventricle and above the pituitary gland where nasal retinal fibers decussate.

Lateral Geniculate Nucleus (LGN)

A thalamic visual nucleus that gathers visual input from retinal ganglion cells, receives cortical and subcortical feedback, and regulates visual flow to the cortex.

Meyer's Loops

Fiber tracts found within the optic radiations.

Primary Visual Cortex (Striate Cortex)

Visual area on the medial surface of the occipital lobe containing regions corresponding to magnocellular and parvocellular LGN inputs.

Hydrodissection

A surgical technique in cataract surgery that separates the lens from the capsule to ensure lens mobility.

Phacoemulsification

The procedure used to chop up and drain away the cataractous lens nucleus.

Haptics

The arms of an intraocular lens that have a tendency to stick to the optic.

Tri-Moxi

A compound containing triamcinolone acetonide and moxifloxacin HCl injected into the vitreous for infection prophylaxis during cataract surgery.