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    Children's Health

    Anatomy of the Eye

    • Anterior chamber. The front section of the eye's interior where aqueous humor flows in and out, providing nourishment to the eye.

    • Anterior chamber. The front section of the eye's interior where aqueous humor flows in and out, providing nourishment to the eye.

    • Aqueous humor. The clear watery fluid in the front part of the eye known as the anterior chamber.

    • Blood vessels. Tubes (arteries and veins) that carry blood to and from the eye.

    • Caruncle. A small, red structure in the corner of the eye closest to the nose that contains modified sebaceous and sweat glands.

    • Choroid. The thin layer of blood vessels that lies between the retina and the sclera and supplies blood to the outer portion of the retina.

    • Ciliary body. The part of the eye that makes aqueous humor.

    • Cornea. The clear, dome-shaped surface that covers and protects the front of the eye.

    • Iris. The colored part of the eye that helps control the amount of light entering the eye.

    • Lens (crystalline lens). The transparent structure inside the eye that focuses light rays onto the retina, much like the lens in a camera.

    • Lower eyelid. Skin that covers the lower part of the eye, including the cornea, when closed.

    • Macula. The central portion of the retina that allows us to see fine details.

    • Optic nerve. A bundle of nerve fibers that connect the retina with the brain. The optic nerve carries signals of light, dark, and colors to a part of the brain called the visual cortex, which assembles the signals into images and results in vision.

    • Posterior chamber. The very narrow part of the eye behind the iris and in front of the lens

    • Pupil. The opening in the center of the iris through which light passes to the back of the eye.

    • Retina. The light-sensitive nerve layer that lines the inside of the back of the eye. The retina senses light and creates impulses that are sent through the optic nerve to the brain.

    • Sclera. The white visible portion of the eye. The muscles that move the eye are attached to the sclera.

    • Suspensory ligament of lens. A series of fibers that connects the ciliary body with the lens, holding it in place.

    • Upper eyelid. Skin that covers the upper part of the eye, including the cornea, when closed.

    • Vitreous body. A clear, jelly-like substance that fills the middle of the eye between the lens and the retina.

    Side view cross section of eye anatomy.Front view of eye.

    Online Medical Reviewer: Daphne Pierce-Smith RN MSN
    Online Medical Reviewer: Marianne Fraser MSN RN
    Date Last Reviewed: 4/1/2025
    © 2000-2025 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
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    Southern New Mexico
    Surgery Center

    2301 Indian Wells Rd. Suite B
    Alamogordo, NM 88310
    www.snmsc.org

    Phone: 575.437.0890
    Fax: 575.437.0905
    Email: info@snmsc.org

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