The Eye Flashcards
what is the arrangement of the neural retina?
arranged into three cell body layers = “nuclear” separated by two synaptic layers = “plexiform”
what is the lacrimal gland?
a compound tubuloalveolar serous gland lacking striated ducts and heavilty infiltrated with adipocytes and plasma cells
what causes the aqueous humor to flow between the iris and the lens?
fluid pressure in the posterior chamber
what are the layers of the cornea?
ABCDC: Anterior Corneal Epithelial Bowman’s layer Corneal stroma Descemet’s membrane Corneal endothelium
how is the sclera different from the cornea?
sclera is a dense irregular CT (cornea has different layers); it is opaque (cornea = transparent) and it is vascularized (cornea = avascularized)
where is the pigmented epithelium of the iris located? what is its histology?
on the posterior surface of the iris; contains two layers of pigmented cells continuous with the two layers of epithelium of the ciliary body
what is the ora serrata?
the area where the cilliary body and retina join
what is found in the plexiform layers of the retina?
synaptic contacts
where are meiobian glands found? what do they produce? what is their function in eye?
found on the tarsal plate (CT); they are a sebaceous gland that secretes oil forming a hydrophobic ring around the eye to prevent loss of the tear fluid
what is the function of the cornea? is it avascular?
cheif refractive component of the eye; it is avascular and normally free of WBC
can the corneal be transplanted? why?
yes, it is avascular so there is a decreased likelihood of graft rejection
what is the retina derived from?
the brain (neural ectoderm)
what is the palpebral conjunctiva continuous with?
thin skin of the eyelid; it continues through an arch (fornix) and reflects back onto the surface of the eye at the bulbar conjunctiva
what are the three tunics/layers of the eye?
superficial to deep: 1. fibrous outer layer = sclera + cornea 2. vascular middle layer = choroid, ciliary body, iris 3. sensory inner layer = retina = pigment epithelium + neural retina
what is bulbar conjunctiva’s histological relevance? ie: what type of tissue/cells?
stratified epithelium containing goblet cells that covers the anterior sclera and is continuous with the anterior corneal epithelium
what photopigment do rods contain? what type of vision does this photopigment allow for?
rhodopsin = provides highly sensitiy but poor acuity and no color discrimination
what is the main function of the vascular layer of the eye?
to supply adjacent structures (iris, retina, sclera, ciliary muscles) with oxygen and nutrients
what are choriocapillaris?
a layer of fenestrated capillaries produced by the choroid that are next to the pigment epithelium of the retina
what happens due to diabetic retinopathy?
blood-retina barrier leakage and capillary loss are prominent
what forms the blood-aqueous barrier? what is its function?
formed by: occluding zonules of the blood vessels of the iris, ciliary body, and corneal endothelial cells.; it isolates the aqueous humor from the blood
What are the layers of the retina?
from the choriocapillaris to the vitreous chamber: Retinal pigment epithelium Photoreceptors (inner and outer segments) Outer nuclear layer (nuclei of photoreceptors) Outer plexiform layer (synaptic contacts Inner nuclear layer (nuclei of bipolar and other cells) Inner plexiform layer (synaptic contacts) Ganglion (cells sending axons our of retina) Optic Nerve fiber layer: ganglion cell axons
what is responsible for relaying signals from the photorecepts to the innermost cell layer of the retina? in what layer are these cells found?
bipolar cells; found in inner nuclear layer
How is the histology of the trabecular meshwork significant for its function?
it is composed of sieve-like squamous (vascular) endothelium-lined channels in the wall of the anterior chamber adjacent to the peripheral rim of corneal endothelium
what portion of the pohotoreceptor captures photons to produce visual signal?
outer portion
where is the limbus region?
circular region where the sclera joins the cornea
Sooo tears that surface of the eye contain what?
lacrimal tear fluid, mucus from conjunctival goblet cells + oil from the meibomian glands to retard evaporation
what is the function of the retina?
initial coding of visual information
what is presbyopia? what is the treatment?
when the lens becomes resisitant to accomodative changes (during middle age); treatment = bifocals
what are the three chambers of the eye?
anterior, posterior, vitreous
where is the retinal pigment epithelial cells located?
next to Bruch’s membrane and the choriocapillaris
the ora serratus signifies transition of what orbital layers?
- transition from multi-layer retina to bi-layered ciliary epithelium 2. where the choroid transitions into the ciliary body, muscle, and stroma NOTE: retinal pigment epithelium trnasitions into the pigmented (outer) ciliary epithelial while the multilayered neural retina transitions into non-pigmented (inner ciliary epithelial cells) therefore the ora serratus secretes aqueous humor
where is the choroid located?
between the sclera and the retina
do the endothelial cells lining the iris vessels posses occludens zonules?
yes
what is the function of the fibrous layer of the eye?
(the sclera + cornea); functions for protection and support of the eye
what are the layers of the retina?
neural retina + retinal pigment
What type of cells make up the corneal endothelium? is it ever regenerated?
layer of simple squamous to cuboidal cells; NOT PART OF THE VASCULATURE (even though ‘endothelial’ layer); part of the blood aqueous barrier regenerates poorly
What are Drusen? what do they cause? when do they arise?
drusen = opaque nodules accumulating between Bruch’s membrane and the pigment epithelium; can hinder transfer of oxygen and nutrients from th echoriocapillaris to the retina. Appear during age-related macular degeneration (losing of vision)
what promotes clarity of the cornea?
the arrangement of type I collagen fibrils in the corneal stroma layer; the lamellae of fibrils are oriented perpendicularly with respect to those above and below; fibrils have uniform diamter and interfibrillar spacing
what type of skin is found on the eyelids? what types of glands etc do they have?
thin skin; has sebacceous glands, sweat glands and fine hairs
what is the stroma composed of?
loose, pigmented, highly vascularized connectived tissue