Ch 15 - The Special Senses Flashcards
Accessory Structures of the Eye
1) Conjunctiva: transparent mucous membrane (produce lubricating mucus)
2) Papebrae: eyelids (orbicularis oculi & levator papebrae superioris)
3) Lacrimal Apparatus: produce & drain tears, protect eye
4) Extrinsic Eye Muscles: 4 rectus & 2 oblique
Five Special Senses
1) Vision
2) Olfaction (smell)
3) Gustation (taste)
4) Hearing
5) Equilibrium
Muscles that allow the eyelids to open or close
1) Orbicularis oculi muscle: encirces the eye, sphincter-like muscle that closes/lowers lids
2) Levator palpebrae superioris: opens eyelids
Components of the Lacrimal Apparatus
1) Lacrimal glands: produce/release dilute saline solution (tears)
2) Lacrimal canaliculi: drains tears from eye surface at medial portion of eye
3) Nasolacrimal duct: drains tears from lacrimal canaliculi into nasal cavity
Extrinsic Eye Muscles and their Movements
1) Lateral Rectus - moves eye laterally (directly lateral to eye)
2) Medial Rectus - moves eye medially (directly medial to eye)
3) Superior Rectus - elevates eye and turns it medially (directly superior, pulls slightly medially)
4) Inferior Rectus - depresses eye and turns it medially (directly inferior, pulls slightly medially)
5) Inferior Oblique - elevates eye and turns it laterally (attaches inferiorally and laterally)
6) Superior Oblique - depresses eye and turns it laterally (attaches superiorally, underneath superior recutus)
Purpose of the Oblique Eye Muscles
Move the eye in the vertical plane when the eyeball is already turned medially - allows for focusing on things closer/further
Gross Anatomy of the Eyeball
Fibrous Layer: outermost layer (2)
Vascular Layer: middle coat of the eye (3)
Retina: innermost layer, contains photoreceptors
Anatomy of the Fibrous Layer of the Eyeball
Fibrous Layer: outermost layer (2)
1) Sclera: the “whites of the eyes” - gives eyeball shape and provides anchor
2) Cornea: transparent layer at the most anterior region of the eye
Anatomy of the Vascular Layer of the Eyeball
Vascular Layer: middle coat of the eye (3)
1) Choroid: well-vascularized layer - dark, absorbs light
2) Ciliary body: (continuous with choroid) encircles the lens
3) Iris: colored portion of the eye (center is pupil)
Anatomy of the Retina of the Eyeball
Retina: innermost layer, contains photoreceptors
1) Pigmented layer: (superficial layer) absorbs light, stores vitamin A
2) Neural layer: (deepest layer) contains photoreceptor cells (rods/cones) - also bipolar and ganglion cells
Transparent layer of fibrous tissue at most anterior region of the eye
Cornea
Has many pain receptors, high regenerative capacity
but: no blood vessels, no immune system supply
Structures that Compose the Ciliary Body
1) Ciliary muscle: smooth muscle bundles that control lens shape
2) Ciliary processes: secrete aqueous humor
3) Suspensory ligaments: extend from ciliary body to lens: holds lens in place & transmits tension from ciliary muscle to lens
Smooth muscle layers of Iris that allows for constriction or dilation of pupil
1) Sphincter pupillae: contracts = twists, pupil size decreases
2) Dilator pipillae: contracts = pulls outwards, pupil size increases
Structures Associated with the Retina
1) Optic disc: point at which the optic nerve exiys the back of the eye (blind spot)
2) Macula lutea: area where other structures are displaced - photoreceptors recieve direct light - most detailed vision center
3) Foeva centralis: center of macula lutea - contains only cones, very detailed color vision - only 1/1000th of total visual field
Chambers & Fluids of the Eye
1) Anterior segment: contains aqueous humor - watery fluid. functions: supplies nutrients and oxygen to structures in the front of the eye & removes waste - continuously drained and produced
2) Posterior segment: contains vitreous humor - jelly-like fluid. functions: transmits light, stabilizes the lens from the posterior side, holds the retina in place, contributes to intraocular pressure - lasts a lifetime
Visible light spectrum
400-700 nm
Where light is refracted to focus on the retina
1) Cornea - mostly responsible for bending light BUT - cannot change shape
2) Anterior surface of lens
3) Posterior surface of lens
Lens used to fine-tune refraction
How is lens shape changed
Use of ciliary muscles around lens and suspensory ligaments
1) Relaxation of ciliary muscle = increased tensuon in suspensory ligaments = lens flattens
2) Contraction of ciliary muscle = decreased tension in suspensory ligaments = lens bulges
Focusing light for distant vision
Ciliary muscles are relaxed when we look at objects that are far away - flattened
Focusing light for close vision
3 Processes:
1) Accommodation of the lens - contraction of ciliary muscles (bulge)
2) Constriction of pupils - prevents divergent rays from entering eye
3) Convergence of eyes - medial rotation of the eyeballs; keeps object focused on foveae
Near point of vision
normal - 4 inches
Functional Anatomy of Photoreceptors
Rods and Cones (in both):
1) Outer segment - embedded in pigmented layer of retina (contain photopigments/visual pigments, folded into discs)
2) Inner segment - embedded in the neural layer of retina (metabolic processes)