eye dissection

Aqueous humor

Clear fluid filling the area between the lens and the cornea, composed mostly of water; helps maintain the shape of the eyeball.

Blind spot

Area of the retina where the receptor cells converge to form the optic nerve.

Choroid

Thin, dark sheet of tissue between the retina and the sclera.

Cones

Receptor cells of the retina that are responsible for perceiving color.

Cornea

Transparent covering that allows light to enter the eye; on a preserved specimen, the cornea is cloudy.

Hyaloid fossa

Indention in the center of the vitreous body that supports the lens.

Iris

Diaphragm that regulates the size of the pupil.

Lens

Biconvex transparent structure that focuses the light coming in through the cornea and pupil.

Optic nerve

Bundle of nerve cells that send signals from the eye to the brain.

Pupil

Opening through which light enters the eye.

Retina

Light-sensitive portion of the eye composed of receptor cells called cones and rods.

Rods

Receptor cells of the retina that are responsible for perceiving difference in light intensity.

Sclera

Outer covering of the eyeball; a tough, opaque sheet of connective tissue that protects inner structures of the eyeball and helps maintain rigidity.

Tapetum

Iridescent portion of the choroid tissue.

Vitreous body

The cavity between the retina and the back of the lens.

Vitreous humor

Viscous fluid that fills the vitreous body; helps maintain the shape of the eyeball.

Zonula ciliaris

Ligaments that suspend the lens and stretch it to focus vision.