Anatomy Of The Eye Terms Flashcards

accommodation Normal adjustment of the eye to focus on objects from far to near. anterior chamber Area behind the cornea and in front of the lens and iris. aqueous humor Fluid produced by the cilary body and found in the anterior chamber. biconvex Having two sides that are rounded, elevated and curved evenly, like part of a sphere. choriod Middle, vascular layer of the eye, between the retina and the sclera. ciliary body Structure on each side the lens that connects the choroid and iris. cone Photoreceptor cell in the retina that transforms light energy into a nerve impulse. conjunctiva Delicate membrane lining the eyelids and covering the anterior eyeball. cornea Fibrous transparent layer of clear tissue that extends over the anterior portion of the eyeball. fovea centralis Tiny pit or depression in the retina that is the region of clearest vision. fundus of the eye Posterior, inner part of the eye. iris Colored pigmented membrane surrounding the pupil of the eye. lens Transparent, biconvex body behind the pupil of the eye. macula Yellowish region on the retina laterial to and slightly below the optic disc; contains the fovea centralis, which is the area of clearest vision. optic chiasm Point at which optic nerve fibers cross in the brain. optic disc Region at the back of the eye where the optic nerve meets the retina. optic nerve Cranial nerve carrying impulses from the retina to the brain (cerebral cortex). pupil Dark opening of the eye, surrounded by the iris, through which light rays pass. refraction Bending of light rays by the cornea, lens and fluids of the eye to bring the rays into focus of the retina. retina Light-sensitive nerve cell layer of the eye containing photoreceptor cells (rods and cones). rod Photoreceptor cell of the retina essential for vision in dim light and for peripheral vision. sclera Tough, white outer coat of the eyeball. thalamus Relay center of the brain. Optic nerve fibers pass through the thalamus on their way to the cerebral cortex. vitreous humor Soft, jelly-like material behind the lens in the vitreous chamber, helps maintain the shape of the eyeball. auditory canal Channel that leads from the pinna to the eardum. auditory meatus Auditory canal. auditory nerve fibers Carry impulses from the inner ear to the brain (cerebral cortex). auditory tube Channel between the middle ear and the nasopharynx; eustachian tube. auricle Flap of the ear; the protuding part of the external ear, or pinna. cerumen Waxy substance secreted by the external ear; also called ear wax. cochlea Snail-shaped, spirally wound tube in the inner ear, contains hearing-sensitive receptor cells. endolymph Fluid within the labyrinth of the inner ear. eustachian tube Auditory tube. incus Second ossicle (bone) of the middle ear, incus means anvil. labyrinth Maze-like series of canals of the inner ear. malleus First ossicle of the middle ear, malleus means hammer. organ of Corti Sensitive auditory receptor area found in the cochlea of the inner ear. ossicle Small bone of the ear, includes the malleus, incus and stapes. oval window Membrane between the middle ear and the inner ear. perilymph Fluid contained in the labyrinth of the inner ear. pinna Auricle; flap of the ear. semicircular canals Passages in the inner ear associated with maintaining equilibrium. stapes Third ossicle of the middle ear. tympanic membrane Membrane between the outer and the middle ear, also caled the eardrum. vestibule Central cavity of the labyrinth, connecting the semicircular canals and the cochlea.