Visual System Flashcards
What is the space between the lateral and medial canthus of the eye?
The palpebral fissure
What term refers to the lateral confluence of the upper and lower eyelid regions?
Lateral canthus
What term refers to the medial confluence of the upper and lower eyelid regions?
Medial canthus
What is the opening within the iris?
The pupil
Which globular nodule structure resides besides the medial canthus of the eye?
Caruncle
Which structure is the border between the cornea and sclera?
Limbus
Where is the lacrimal gland located?
Located within the orbit, latero-superior to the globe
What are the three types of tears?
Basal
Reflex
Emotional (crying)
What is the function performed by the lacrimal gland?
It continually releases fluid which cleanses and protects the eye’s surface as it lubricates and moistens it. These lacrimal secretions are commonly known as tears.
What are basal tears?
Basal tears are your basic functional tear. They are released continuously in tiny quantities to lubricate the cornea and keep it clear of dust. This is vital to ensure good visual acuity and comfort. Basal tears also fight against bacterial infection as a part of the immune system.
Which tears are referred to the increased tear production in response to ocular irritation?
A reflex tear
What does the tear pathway comprise of?
Afferent pathway
CNS
Efferent pathway
Lacrimal gland
Which afferent nerve innervates the cornea?
Sensory nerve fibres via the ophthalmic branch of trigeminal nerve.
How is the efferent pathway mediated?
Mediated by the parasympathetic nerve, innervating the lacrimal gland.
How are tears drained by the lacrimal system?
The tear film drains through the two puncta, tiny openings on the upper and lower medial lid margins
Flows through the superior and inferior canaliculi converging into a single common canaliculus, draining into a tear sac –> Into the nasal cavity through the tear duct.
Which two superior and inferior eyelid structures are responsible for tear film drainage?
The puncta
How are tears drained from the puncta to the tear sac?
Tears flow through the superior and inferior canaliculi to the tear sac
What is the fate of tears within the tear sac?
Exit the tear sac through the tear duct into the nasal cavity.
What are the four primary functions of the tear film?
1) Maintains smooth cornea-air surface (Clear vision)
2) Oxygen supply to cornea
3) Removal of debris
4) Bactericide
How many layers comprise the tear film?
Composed of three layers:
1) Lipid layer (Superficial)
2) Water layer
3) Mucin layer
Which glands along the lid margins produce the superficial lipid layer of the tear film?
Meibomian glands
What is the purpose of the mucinous layer corneal surface?
Maintains surface wetting.
What provides oxygen supply to the anterior segment of the eye (cornea)?
The tear film considering there are no blood vessels supplying the cornea
What is the function of the lipid layer of the tear film?
Responsible for protecting the tear film from rapid evaporation.
Which tear film layer forms the main bulk of the tear film?
The water layer
What are the two main functions of the water layer (tear film)?
1) Delivers oxygen and nutrient to surrounding tissue.
2) Contains factors against potentially harmful bacteria.
How do mucin molecules regulate surface wetting of the corneal epithelial surface?
The mucin molecules act by binding water molecules to the hydrophobic corneal epithelial cell surface.
Which layer in the tear film protects the tear film from rapid evaporation?
Lipid layer
Which thin transparent tissue covers the outer surface of the eye?
Conjunctiva
Describe the anatomical course of the conjunctiva?
Begins at the outer edge of the cornea, covers the visible part of the eye, and lines the inside of the eyelids.
What function is performed by the conjuctiva?
The conjunctiva of the eye provides protection and lubrication of the eye by the production of mucus and tears. It prevents microbial entrance into the eye and plays a role in immune surveillance. It lines the inside of the eyelids and provides a covering to the sclera
How is conjunctiva nourished with nutrients and oxygen?
Tiny blood vessels
What is the average antero-posterior diameter of the eye?
24mm in adults.
What are the three layers of the eye?
Sclera
Choroid
Retina
Which anatomical space does the eye reside within?
The orbit
What is the function of the sclera?
The outer fibrous opaque layer responsible for protecting the eye and maintaining shape
Which eye layer is pigmented and vascular?
Choroid
What is the function of the choroid?
Responsible for providing circulation to the eye, and shielding out unwanted scattered light.
What is the innermost neurosensory layer of the eye?
The Retina
How many layes form the cornea?
1) Epithelium
2) Bowman’s membrane
3) Stroma
4) Descemet’s membrane
5) Endothelium
Describe the water content of the sclera:
High water content
Describe the water content of the cornea:
Low water content
The regularity of which corneal layer contributes towards transparency?
Stroma