Physiology of the Eye Flashcards
Eyelids closure is mediated by what nerve……
efferent fibres of the facial nerve (VII)
what muscles close the eyelids?
orbicularis oculi muscles
which nerve and muscle are responsible for lifting the upper eyelid?
oculomotor (CN III), levator palpebral superioris
Give the stimulus, receptors, afferent pathway, interneuron, efferent pathway, effectors and response for the CORNEAL REFLEX
Stimulus - corneal touch Receptors - somesthetic Afferent - Trigeminal nerve (ophthalmic) Interneuron - subcortical Efferent - facial nerve (VI) Effectors - orbicularis oculi muscles Response - blink
Give the stimulus, receptors, afferent pathway, interneuron, efferent pathway, effectors and response for the PALPEBRAL REFLEX
Stimulus - eyelid touch Receptors - somesthetic Afferent - Trigeminal nerve (ophthalmic & maxillary) Interneuron - subcortical Efferent - facial nerve (VI) Effectors - orbicularis oculi muscles Response - blink
Give the stimulus, receptors, afferent pathway, interneuron, efferent pathway, effectors and response for the MENACE RESPONSE
Stimulus - menacing gesture
Receptors - Photoreceptors
Afferent - Optic nerve
Interneuron - cortical, cerrebellum
Efferent - facial nerve (VI), abducens (VI), glossopharyngeal IX
Effectors - orbicularis oculi muscles, retractor bulbi muscle
Response - blink, retract globe
Give the stimulus, receptors, afferent pathway, interneuron, efferent pathway, effectors and response for the DAZZLE REFLEX
Stimulus - bright light Receptors - Photoreceptors Afferent - Optic nerve Interneuron - subcortical Efferent - facial nerve (VI) Effectors - orbicularis oculi muscle Response - blink
when do puppies and kittens open their eyelids?
between 10 and 15 days
what type of muscle makes up the feline third eyelid?
smooth muscle (9 of them)
the drawing in of the feline third eyelid into the medial canthus is innervated by what nerves
postganglionic adrenergic sympathetic nerve fibres
what type of muscle controls the avian third eyelid?
skeletal
what species have a harderian gland?
pigs, rodents, rabbits, some ruminants and some birds
what are the functions of the pre-corneal tear film?
smoothes out minor irregularities removes foreign matter from cornea and conjunctiva lubrication provides nutrients to avascular cornea controls local bacterial flora
what is the estimated tear volume of the horse and the approximate tear volume turnover rate?
234 microL
7 minutes
what are the layers of the pre-corneal tear film?
Fat/oil layer
Aqueous layer
Mucin layer
What is the origin, composition (brief) and function of the fat/oil layer?
Origin - meibomian glands
Composition - meibum lipid mixture
Function - stabilisation of the tear film, prevents evaporation and overflow, provides a smooth optical surface, barrier against foreign particles, antimicrobial activity, seals lid margins during prolonged closure, prevents maceration of the of lid skin by tears
What is the origin, composition (brief) and function of the aqueous layer?
Origin - lacrimal gland (66%), TEL gland (33%), harderian gland (in certain spp), accessory lacrimal glands in conjunctiva
Composition - 98% water, 2% solids (proteins)
Functions - lubricaiton, provide nutrients, antimicrobial, removes foreign matter
What is the origin, composition (brief) and function of the mucin layer?
origin - conjunctival goblet cells, stratified squamous cells of corneal and conjunctival epithelium
composition - tear mucins/secreted mucins (glycoproteins), glycocalyx/membrane-spanning mucins (polysaccharides)
functions -
secreted mucins - lubrication, makes corneal surface more hydrophilic to permit spreading, stabilisation of PTF
membrane-spanning mucins (gloycocalyx) - promotion of water retention, dense barrier to pathogens, signal transduction, direct interaction with the actin cytoskeleton
are tears slightly acidic or alkaline?
alkaline
name some non-specific antimicrobial substances found in the pre-corneal tear film
lysozyme, lactoferrin, alpha-lysine, complement
name some specific anti-microbials found in the PTF
immunoglobulins A, G and M
what is lysozyme?
antibacterial enzyme that hydrolyzes bacterial cell walls
which companion animal species does not produce lysozyme?
cat
which immunoglobulin is present in the highest concentrations in the PTF?
IgA
What is the mechanism of action for lactoferrin?
reversibly binds iron that would be available for bacterial metabolism and growth
what is the mechanism of action for IgA?
coats bacterial and viral microorganisms leading to agglutination, neutralization and lysis
Which nerve provides parasympathetic and sympathetic innervation to the lacrimal gland?
lacrimal nerve (branch of trigeminal)
How is corneal transparency achieved?
lattice-like organisation of stromal collagen fibrils transparency of cells within cornea relative dehydration hypocellularity unmyelinated nerve fibres nonkeratinized epithelium absence of blood vessels and pigment
what proportion of the cornea is made up of the stroma?
90%
what is the brief composition of the corneal stroma?
water collagens glycosaminoglycans glycoproteins cellular and nerve components
what type of collagen is most abundant in the cornea?
type 1
what is the main function of the glycosaminoglycans in the corneal stroma?
maintaining regular spacing between fibrils
what happens to the quiescent keratocytes in the cornea upon corneal wounding?
they transform into activated fibroblasts and myofibroblasts
which corneal layers are responsible for maintaing the cornea in a relatively dehydrated state?
epithelium and endothelium
what allows nutrients from the aqueous humour to enter the cornea?
leakiness of the endothelium
where do the corneal epithelium and anterior stroma obtain oxygen from?
pre-corneal tear film
where do the endothelium and posterior stroma obtain oxygen from?
aqueous humour
which layer of the cornea has the highest need for glucose?
endothelium
what conformation of dogs has the lowest corneal sensitivity?
brachycephalic
what are of the cornea has the greatest sensitivity?
central
which nerve provides sensation to the cornea?
trigeminal (ophthalmic branch)
why are superficial corneal ulcers more painful than deep ulcers?
the anterior cornea is more densely innervated compared to the posterior cornea
what type of nociceptor is most abundant in the cornea?
polymodal nociceptor
apart from providing sensation, how else do corneal nerves maintain corneal epithelial health?
secrete neurotransmitters and neuropeptides that are critical to corneal epithelial proliferation and function
neuropeptides CGRP and substance P also play a role in what process in the cornea?
neurogenic inflammation
which nerve innervates the constrictor muscle of the pupil?
oculomotor (III)