crystalline lens Flashcards
1
Q
structures of crystalline lens
A
- lens capsule
- epithelium
- lens fibres
2
Q
what is lens capsule?
A
- Acellular transparent elastic basement membrane that envelops the entire lens
- Thickest portion: anterior & posterior surfaces closest to the equator where ciliary zonules are inserted
- Thinnest at the posterior pole (3μm)
3
Q
function of lens capsule
A
- Moulds the shape of the lens in response to changing zonular fibre tension during accommodation
- Acts as a barrier to maintain lens transparency (impermeable to large molecules)
- Permeable to low molecular weight compounds (e.g. amino acids, lipids – 1%)
