Head and Neck - The Eye

Before beginning this video lecture, review the following structures in your anatomy atlas. The Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Atlas of Anatomy (2009 edition) plate references are given for comparable reference.
7-64A
Cornea
Iris
Lens
Anterior chamber
Posterior chamber
Retina
Choroid
Sclera
Vitreous body
Dilator papillae muscle
Constrictor papillae muscle
Optic nerve
Central artery and vein of retina

Embryology of the Eye

1. From which primary germ cell layer does the lens plate develop?

2. What is the origin of the following structures?

Choroid
Sclera

The Structures of the Eye

3. What primarily accounts for the varied opacity of the sclera and cornea?

4. The posterior ciliary arteries are branches of the ophthalmic artery, which is a branch of which artery?

5. Which muscle contracts in order to enlarge the pupil?

6. How is the ciliary body divided?

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Images from Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Atlas of Anatomy
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7. Which part of the eye is composed of epithelial cells filled with crystallins and has the ability to change shape?

8. What is the purpose of aqueous humor?

9. Diagram the flow of aqueous humor through the eye:

10. What disease process results from blockage of the aqueous humor pathway?

Clinical Correlation
11. What is the classic symptom of glaucoma?

12. What are the 3 main types of glaucoma?

13. What is the basic pathophysiology of the following diseases of the eye?
Disease
Macular degeneration
Retinal detachment
Cataracts

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Pathophysiology
Any degeneration of the elements of the macula (age related, common in
diabetics)
Separation of the nervous layer of the retina from the pigmented epithelial layer
of the retina
Opacities or clouding of the lens that can result in visual loss or blindness

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Images from Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Atlas of Anatomy
2008 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
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The Structures of the Eye (continued)

14. Where do the parasympathetic fibers carried in the oculomotor nerve (CN III) that innervate the constrictor
pupillae muscle and ciliary muscle arise?

15. What are the 9 sublayers of the retina?

Internal limiting membrane
Nerve fiber layer
Layer of ganglion cell bodies
Inner plexiform layer
Inner nuclear layer
Outer plexiform layer
Outer nuclear layer
External limiting membrane

16. What is the purpose of rods and cones?

Rods
Cones

17. Which portion of the retina is known for the following?

Blind spot
Clearest, sharpest vision
Central area of macula; central area of visual field

18. Which reflex allows the constriction of both pupils when light is only shined into one eye?

End of Session Quiz

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Images from Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Atlas of Anatomy
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1. What is the name given to the area of the eye responsible for the most acute vision, and where is this area
found?

2. What is the name of the blind spot of the eye? Why is it that there are no photoreceptors located in this
area?

3. What are the 3 chambers of the eye, and what is contained in each?
Anterior Chamber
Posterior Chamber
Vitreous Chamber

4.

What is the pathogenesis of open-angle glaucoma?

5. From where does the ciliary ganglion receive information, and to where does it send information?

6.

What are the functions of the sphincter pupillae and ciliary muscle?
Sphincter pupillae
Ciliary muscle

7.

Explain the process by which you are able to focus on an object far away?

8. What muscle is responsible for dilating the pupil?

9. When looking at a patients eye, you notice that the pupil remains dilated. What nerve supply to the eye is
damaged?

10. Of the cornea and the lens, which has the greatest refractive power, and which has the ability to change
shape?

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Images from Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Atlas of Anatomy
2008 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Mock Practical

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Images from Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Atlas of Anatomy
2008 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
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