Medical Terminology Chapter 12 - Anatomy

Eye

eye

organ of vision

sclera

outer protective layer of the eye; the portion seen on the anterior portion of the eyeball is referred to as the white of the eye

cornea

transparent anterior part of the sclera, which is anterior to the aqueous humor and lies over the iris. It allows the light rays to enter the eye

choroid

middle layer of the eye, which is interlaced with many blood vessels that supply nutrients to the eye

iris

pigmented muscular structure that regulates the amount of light entering the eye by controlling the size of the pupil

pupil

opening in the center of the iris

lens

lies directly behind the pupil; its function is to focus and bend light

retina

innermost layer of the eye, which contains the vision receptors

aqueous humor

watery liquid found in the anterior cavity of the eye. provides nourishment to nearby structures and maintains shape in the anterior part of the eye

vitreous humor

jellylike substance found behind the lens in the posterior cavity of the eye that maintains its shape

meibomian glands

oil glands found in the upper and lower edges of the eyelids that help lubricate the eye

lacrimal apparatus

network of glands, ducts, canals, and sacs that produce and drain tears; the lacrimal gland produces tears, which then flow through the lacrimal ducts to cover the surface of the eye

optic nerve

carries visual impulses from the retina to the brain

conjunctiva

mucous membrane lining the eyelids and covering the anterior portion of the sclera