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Merck Manual
Professional Version
The trusted provider of medical information since 1899
Medical Topics & Chapters
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B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
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Q
R
S
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Professional /
Eye Disorders /
Approach to the Ophthalmologic Patient /
... /
Ophthalmic Anatomy /

OTHER TOPICS IN THIS CHAPTER

Approach to the Ophthalmologic Patient
Ophthalmic Anatomy
Evaluation of the Ophthalmologic Patient

Test your knowledge

Overview of Conjunctivitis
When circumcorneal conjunctival hyperemia, or ciliary flush, is noted on physical examination of a patient, which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

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Ophthalmic Anatomy

By

Leila M. Khazaeni

, MD, Loma Linda University School of Medicine

Last full review/revision Mar 2019| Content last modified Mar 2019
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Topic Resources

It is important to understand the anatomy of the eye prior to doing an examination.

Cross-section of the eye

The zonules of Zinn keep the lens suspended, and the muscles of the ciliary body focus the lens. The ciliary body also secretes aqueous humor, which fills the anterior and posterior chambers, passes through the pupil into the anterior chamber, and drains primarily via the Schlemm canal. The iris regulates the amount of light entering the eye by adjusting the size of its central opening, the pupil. Visual images are focused on the retina. The conjunctiva covers the eyeball and lines the upper and lower eyelids; it ends at the limbus. The cornea is covered with epithelium that is more sensitive than and differs from the conjunctival epithelium.

Cross-section of the eye
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Evaluation of the Ophthalmologic Patient
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