Ophthalmology

Ophthalmology Anatomical Terms

accommodation -The process whereby the eyes make adjustments for seeing objects at various distance
adnexa - The appendages or accessory structures of an organ
anterior chamber - the fluid-filled space inside the eye between the iris and the cornea's innermost surface, the endothelium
anterior segment - the front third of the eye that includes the structures in front of the vitreous humor: the cornea, iris, ciliary body, and lens
aqueous fluid/humor - A clear, gelatinous fluid similar to plasma
binocular - Adapted to, or referring to, the use of both eyes
canthus - The angle where the lower and upper eyelids meet
choroid - The opaque middle layer of the eyeball
cilia - A protective function to prevent foreign matter from reaching the eyes
ciliary body - The ring-shaped part at the front of the eye that connects the pigmented layer choroid of the eyeball with the iris diaphragm
ciliary muscles  - Muscle in eye that controls sight
conjunctiva - The mucous membrane that lines the underside of each eyelid and continues to form a protective covering of the exposed surface of the eyeball 
convergence - The simultaneous inward movement of both eyes (toward each other), usually in an effort to maintain single binocular vision as an object approaches (comes closer) 
cornea - The transparent anterior portion of the eyeball that provides most of the optical power of the eye
crystalline lens - The transparent lens behind the iris in the eyes
dilate - To widen the opening
emmetropia - The normal relationship between the refractive power of the eye and the shape of the eye, which enables light rays to focus correctly on the retina.
epicanthus - A vertical fold of skin on either side of the nose
extraocular - Outside the eyeball
eyeball/globe - A sphere that is about one inch in diameter with walls made up of 3 layers: sclera, choroid, and retina
fovea centralis - A pit located within the macula lutea
humor - Any clear body liquid or semifluid substance
inner canthus - Where the eyelids meet near the nose
intraocular - Within the eyeball
iris - The pigmented muscular layer that surrounds the pupil
lacrimal canaliculi - The ducts at the inner corner of each eye that collect tears and drain them into the lacrimal sac 
lacrimal fluid/tears - A liquid that maintains moisture  on the anterior surface of the eyeball
lacrimal glands - Glands that secrete lacrimal fluid/tears
lacrimal sac/dacryocyst/tear sac - An enlargement of the upper portion of the lacrimal duct
lacrimal/nasolacrimal duct - The passageway that drains lacrimal fluid into the nose
lacrimal/tear apparatus - The structures that produce, store, and remove tears
lacrimation - The normal continuous secretion of tears by the lacrimal glands
macula lutea - A clearly defined yellow area in the center of the retina
ocular - Pertains to the eye
opaque - Difficult to see through
optic - Pertaining to the eye or sight
optic disk/blind spot - The region in the eye where the nerve endings of the retina gather to form the optic nerve
optic nerve - The large nerve that sends signals relating to sight from the retina in your eye to your brain
orbit  - The bony cavity of the skull that contains and protects the eyeball and its associated muscles, blood vessels, and nerves  
posterior chamber - A narrow space behind the peripheral part of the iris of the lens, and in front of the suspensory ligament of the lens and the ciliary processes
pupil - The circular opening in the center of the iris
refraction - The ability of the lens to bend the light rays to help them focus on the retina.
retina - The innermost sensory layer of the eyeball lining the vitreous cavity.
sclera/white of the eye - The fibrous tissue that protects the outer layer that maintains the shape of the eye and protects the delicate inner layers of tissue
tarsus - The platelike framework within the upper and lower eyelids that provide stiffness and shape
vitreous humor /vitreous gel - A clear gel that fills the space between the lens and the retina of the eyeball