The Retina and Visual Pathway

Question 1

what is the fundus of the retina

Answer 1

the posterior area where light is focused

Question 2

what is included in the fundus

Answer 2

optic disc, macula and fovea

Question 3

describe what the optic disc is

Answer 3

point of formation of CN II(optic nerve), only point of entry/exit for blood vessels and CN II axons, also Blind Spot

Question 4

describe how the optic disc is responsible for a blind spot

Answer 4

because there are no photoreceptors in the optic disc

Question 5

describe what the macula is and where it is usually found

Answer 5

it is the spot with greatest density of cones, used for acute vision, usually located just lateral to optic disc

Question 6

describe what the fovea is

Answer 6

the centre of the macula, depression of ~1.5mm, area of most acute vision

Question 7

what can raised intra-ocular pressure cause

Answer 7

ischaemia of retina and glaucoma

Question 8

where do the retinal veins and arteries lie in relation to the retina

Answer 8

lie anterior to the retina

Question 9

what part of the retina of each eye does light from the left visual field strike

Answer 9

temporal retina of right eye and nasal retina of left eye

Question 10

what part of the retina of each eye does light from the right visual field strike

Answer 10

temporal retina of left eye and nasal retina of left eye

Question 11

light striking which area of the retina crosses over and which stays on the same side at the optic chiasma

Answer 11

light striking nasal retinas of each eye crosses over to other side at chiasma
light striking temporal retinas stays at same side

Question 12

where are the right and left visual fields processed in the brain

Answer 12

right visual field = left primary visual cortex

left visual field = right primary visual cortex

Question 13

where is light from the lower visual field processed in the brain

Answer 13

by the upper part of the primary visual cortex