Intro to the Eye Flashcards

Gross anatomy of the eye Corneal layers Embryology

1
Q

What are the layers of the eye? [3]

A

Outer Fibrous Coat

  • Cornea Anteriorly
  • Sclera Posteriorly & Laterally

Vascular Coat:

  • Iris & Pupil
  • Ciliary Body
  • Choroid

Sensory Coat:
- Retina

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2
Q

What are the layers of the Cornea? [5]

A
  • Stratified Squamous non-keratinized Epithelium
  • Bowman’s Membrane (basement membrane)
  • Stroma (regular connective tissue - collagen)
  • Descemet’s Layer (basement membrane)
  • Endothelium (single layer)
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3
Q

What would be the reason for examining Bowman’s membrane in an ocular injury? [3]

A

If the injury only affects the epithelium, it will heal to normal [1]

If it breaks the bowmans membrane then it will heal with collagen and form a scar [1] affecting corneal transparancy [1] and therefore sight

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4
Q

How do we maintain corneal transparency? [3]

A
  • No blood vessels in the stroma
  • Regular arrangement of the stroma
  • Pumps in the endothelium keep out the aqueous humor
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5
Q

How does nutrition reach the cornea? [3]

A

From the:

  • Tear Film
  • Blood vessels in the sclera
  • Aqueous Humor
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6
Q

Clinical relevance of avascular nature of cornea [3]

A

Because its avascular theres a low chance of foreign antigens [1] being noticed, this means theres a lower chance of corneal graft rejection [1] than any other type of transplant.

This has led to the cornea being dubbed an “immune-privileged” site [1]

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7
Q

Differentiate between segments and chambers of the eye [4]

A

Anterior Segment and Posterior Segment divided by the lens. [2]

The anterior segment is split into the ant/post chambers divided by the iris. [2]

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8
Q

Where is aqueous humor produced [3]

A

The ciliary body [1] in the posterior chamber [1] of the anterior segment [1]

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9
Q

Explain the passage of aqueous humor [3]

A
  • Produced in the ciliary body
  • Passes between lens and iris into anterior chamber [1]
  • Then drains through the trabecular meshwork [1] and out through schlemm’s canal [1]
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10
Q

What is the choroid? [2]

A

A part of the vascular coat.

Its a layer of fenestrated blood vessels below the retina

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11
Q

Layers of the retina: what are the 3 most important layers?
Note: Split into 10 layers, these are not all separate cell layers, the organisation of the cells make them appear like 10 layers.

A

The important layers are:

10) Pigment Epithelial layer
9) Rods and cones layer (dendrites of the lowest neuron layer)
2) Nerve Fibre layer (Axons of the highest neuron layer)

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12
Q

Explain the blood supply of the retina? [2]

A
  • Outer layers are supplied by the choroid by diffusion

- Inner Layers are supplied by branches of the central retinal artery

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13
Q

What do you see with an opthalmoscope [2]

A

The retina and its blood vessels (branches of the central retinal artery)

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14
Q

Differentiate between the macula [1] and the fovea [4]

A

Macula - oval shaped pigmented area, near center of the retina [1]
Fovea Centralis - a depression [1] in the center of the macula [1], the site of highest visual acuity [1] due to densest packing of cones and rods [1]

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15
Q

What suspends the lens? [1]

What shape is the lens?

A
Suspensory Ligaments (Zonules) 
Biconvex
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16
Q

Why do cataracts form? [2]

A

Lens cant shed its old cells like skin or remove them through blood.
So over time it opacifies leading to cataracts

17
Q

Components of the eyelid? [3]

A

They are given shape by the tarsal plates (connective tissue).
They contain glands that contribute to tears.
The lids also contain the palpebral part of the orbicularis oculi

18
Q

State the layers of the tear film [3]

A

Three.
1 - Mucinous Layer - 30%
2 - Aqueous Layer - 69%
3 - Oily Layer - 1%

19
Q

How do we inspect the tear film?

A

With a dye called Fluorescein

20
Q

What are the functions of the tear film? [3]

A
  • Prevents drying of cornea
  • Washes away foreign bodies
  • Contains lysozymes and antibodies to fight off microbes
  • Maintains smooth corneal surface for refraction
21
Q

Whats the function of the mucinous layer of tear film? [2]

A

Overcomes surface tension of the eye [1] to prevent the aqueous layer simply rolling off [1]

22
Q

Whats the function of the oily layer of the tear film? [1]

A

Prevents the aqueous layer from evaporating too fast

23
Q

How does tear secretion occur? [3]

A

Parasympathetic fibres [1] from cranial nerve VII (Facial) [1] trigger the conjunctival sac [1] to secrete tears

24
Q

What triggers blinking? [1]

A

When the aqueous layer evaporates enough for the oily layer to contact the mucinous layer, it triggers reflex blinking

25
Q

What does the eye develop from embryologically? [4]

A

Optic Vesicles [1] grow outwards from the diencephalic part of the neural tube [1]

  • Grows towards the surface ectoderm forming optic cup [1]
  • Surface Ectoderm invaginates forming lens vesicle [1]

Together they form the eye