6.1: Anatomy of the Orbit and Eye Flashcards
Describe the outer layer of the eye
The sclera and cornea
Describe the appearance and function of the sclera, which part of it is visible?
White, tough and structural. A site for muscle attachment and is relatively avascular
It;s anterior part is visible
Describe the appearance and function of the cornea
Transparent, protrudes is avascular and sensitive
Which nerves are involved in the corneal reflex?
Afferent: CN V1 (ophthalmic division) Efferent: CN VII (facial)
Which layer of the eye is vascular and what is it called? What lies within this layer?
The middle layer; known as the Uvuea
Comprises the choroid, ciliary body and iris
What are the clinical terms for a large and small pupil?
Mydriasis: large pupil Miosis: small pupil
Describe how the ANS influences the pupil
Parasympathetic: contracts the circular sphincter pupillae muscles Sympathetic: Contracts radial dilator pupillae
Describe the mechanism of action of phenylephrine on the eye
It’s an alpha-1 adrenergic agonist and has sympathetic activation which dilates the pupil
Describe the mechanism of action of tropicamide and atropine on the eye
Muscarinic receptor antagonists - blocks parasympathetic and causes dilation
Describe the mechanism of action of pilocarpine on the eye
Direct acting cholinergic parasympathomimetic and therefore has parasympathetic activation to constrict the pupil
Describe the neural layer of the eye
This is the inner layer; consisting of the retina which has optic and non-visual parts
Lecture: fundus, macula, optic disc
Which part of the eye constitutes the ‘blind spot’?
The optic disc
Where is the fundus in the eye and how can it be visualized?
Posterior part, visualized with ophthalmoscope/fundoscopy
Where is visual acuity highest?
The macula’s fovea centralis as it has the highest concentration of photoreceptors
Where is the macula and what significant structure is located within it?
The macula is near the centre of the retina (between the superior and inferior arcades; within it is a small central pit composed of closely packed cones called fovea centralis
Approximately how many rods and cones are there in the eye?
~120 mill rods ~6 mill cones
What visual symptom may arise from meningitis and why?
Photophobia (pain when looking at bright light), as the optic nerve is an extension of the brain and thus has a layer of meningeal covering
Define papilloedema
Swelling of the optic nerve
Where is the anterior and posterior chamber of the eye?
In the anterior segment:
Anterior: between the cornea and iris/pupil
Posterior: behind the iris/pupil and lens and in front of the ciliary body
Describe aqueous humour including its location, what produces it, it’s purpose and how it flows out
Aqeous humor is secreted by the ciliary body into the posterior chamber of thr anterior segment. Oxygen, nutrients and wastes are brought to and from the lens and cornea which are avascular. The watery fluid flows from the iris into the anterior chamber and out via the trabecular meshwork - and through Schlemm’s canal into the venous system
Where is vitreous humor and what does it attach to?
The vitreous chamber (posterior segment of the eye), attached to the retina at the macula, nerve and ora serrata
List the structures of the eye that light passes in anterior-posterior order. Where does the light inevitably focus?
Cornea, aqeuous humor, lens, vitreous humor and focusses on the fundus (fovea) of the retina
What is the clinical term ofr normal sightedness?
Emmetropia
Describe the refractive errors which occur in myopia and hypermetropia
lecture
Which structures form the boundaries of the orbit?
Medial: ethmoid, maxilla and lacrimal bones
Lateral: zygomatic and sphenoid
Roof: frontal and sphenoid
Floor: maxilla and zygomatic
Apex: optic canal
What happens in a blow out fracture?
Lecture