3A Anatomy Challenge 2026: Sight

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary related to the anatomy and physiology of the eye, including structures, functions, and clinical relevance.

Orbit

Bony cavity that contains the eyes, muscles, vessels, nerves, fat, and lacrimal system.

Adnexa

Associated structures of the eyeball including extraocular muscles, eyelid muscles, and the lacrimal system.

Eyeball Layers

Outer layer (sclera and cornea), intermediate layer (choroid, ciliary body, and iris), and inner layer (retina).

Neuro-Ophthalmology

Field that studies the connection between the nervous system and the visual system.

Cranial Nerves

Nerves that arise directly from the brain, including those related to vision (CN 2, 3, 4, 6).

Optic Canal

Passage in the skull through which the optic nerve and ophthalmic artery travel.

Superior Orbital Fissure

Opening at the back of the orbit allowing passage of cranial nerves and vessels.

Cornea

Transparent front part of the eyeball, responsible for most light refraction.

Iris

Colored part of the eye that controls the size of the pupil and the amount of light entering.

Lens

Transparent structure in the eye that helps to focus light onto the retina.

Aqueous Humor

Fluid in the eye that helps maintain intraocular pressure and provides nutrients.

Retina

Light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye, containing photoreceptors.

Photoreceptors

Cells in the retina (rods and cones) that detect light and convert it into electrical signals.

Rods

Type of photoreceptor responsible for vision in low light (black and white vision).

Cones

Type of photoreceptor responsible for color vision and detail.

Pupil

Opening in the center of the iris that regulates the amount of light entering the eye.

Optic Disc

Region where the optic nerve exits the eye, known as the blind spot.

Macula

Area of the retina with the highest concentration of photoreceptors for sharp vision.

Ciliary Body

Structure surrounding the lens that controls its shape and produces aqueous humor.

Zonules

Fibers connecting the ciliary body to the lens, adjusting lens shape for focusing.

Visual Pathway

Pathway followed by visual information from the retina to the visual cortex in the brain.

Visual Reflexes

Automatic responses to visual stimuli, such as pupillary constriction.

Pupillary Light Reflex

Reflex that constricts the pupil in response to light exposure.

Accommodation Reflex

Reflex that allows eyes to focus on near objects by adjusting the lens.

Inferior Rectus

Extraocular muscle responsible for depressing the eye.

Superior Oblique

Extraocular muscle that intorts and depresses the eye.

Medial Rectus

Extraocular muscle responsible for adduction of the eye.

Lateral Rectus

Extraocular muscle responsible for abduction of the eye.

Orbicularis Oculi

Muscle that facilitates eyelid closure.

Lacrimal Gland

Gland that produces tears to moisten the eye.

Tears

Fluid secreted by the lacrimal gland that keeps the eye moist and helps in clearing debris.

Glands of Krause

Accessory glands of the eye that produce aqueous tears.

Sclera

White outer layer of the eyeball that provides structure and protection.

Choroid

Layer between retina and sclera that contains blood vessels and nourishes the retina.

Embryological Development

Process by which eye structures develop from ectoderm and mesoderm during gestation.