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6.4.2: Eyes

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    89621
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    The eyes are complex sensory organs responsible for vision, allowing us to perceive the world around us. They have a highly specialized anatomy with various structures working together to capture, focus, and transmit visual information to the brain. The eyes consist of the cornea, sclera, iris, pupil, lens, retina, macula, optic nerve, vitreous humor, aqueous humor, conjunctiva, eyelids, and eyelashes.

    The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped front surface of the eye. It acts as a protective and refractive element, bending incoming light to help focus it onto the retina.

    The sclera is the tough, white outer layer of the eye that provides structural support and protection for the inner eye structures. It also connects to the eye's muscles.

    The colored part of the eye, known as the iris, controls the size of the pupil and regulates the amount of light entering the eye. It adjusts the pupil's size in response to changing lighting conditions.

    The pupil is the black, central opening in the iris. It allows light to enter the eye and contracts and dilates in response to light levels and the eye's focus needs.

    The lens is a flexible, transparent structure located behind the iris. It fine-tunes the focus of incoming light onto the retina by changing its shape through a process called accommodation.

    The retina is a light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye that contains photoreceptor cells known as rods and cones. These cells convert light into electrical signals sent to the brain through the optic nerve.

    The macula is a small, specialized area at the retina's center. It is responsible for central vision and lets us see fine details and colors. The optic nerve is a bundle of nerve fibers that carries visual information from the retina to the brain, allowing us to interpret and perceive images.

    The vitreous humor is a gel-like substance that fills the space between the lens and the retina, helping to maintain the eye's shape and providing support.

    The aqueous humor is a clear fluid that fills the front portion of the eye between the cornea and the lens. It nourishes the cornea and lens and maintains intraocular pressure.

    The conjunctiva is a thin, transparent mucous membrane that covers the front of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelids. It helps protect and lubricate the eye.

    Finally, the eyelids protect the eyes from debris, light, and excessive moisture, while eyelashes help filter out foreign particles and protect the eyes from dust and other irritants.


    This page titled 6.4.2: Eyes is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Anna Jannak (Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI)) .

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