Ocular Anatomy & Physiology Flashcards

Which portion of the aqueous humor drainage system is located in the angle of the anterior chamber?

Answer: Trabecular meshwork

The trabecular meshwork lines the angle of the anterior chamber and is the primary site of aqueous humor outflow resistance.

The choroid's primary physiological role is to:

Answer: Supply oxygen and nutrients to the outer retina

The choroid is a highly vascular layer that provides oxygen and nutrients to the outer retinal layers, including the photoreceptors.

Which cranial nerve controls the superior oblique muscle responsible for intorsion and depression of the adducted eye?

Answer: CN IV

The trochlear nerve (CN IV) innervates the superior oblique muscle, which intorts and depresses the eye especially when adducted.

The limbus is clinically important because it contains:

Answer: Corneal stem cells, aqueous drainage structures, and is a surgical landmark

The limbus contains corneal epithelial stem cells (at the palisades of Vogt), drainage structures, and is used as a landmark for surgical incisions.

What type of collagen predominates in the corneal stroma and contributes to its transparency?

Answer: Type I collagen in regular orthogonal lamellae

The corneal stroma contains type I collagen arranged in precise orthogonal lamellae of uniform diameter, which minimizes light scattering and ensures transparency.

The vitreous humor is attached most firmly to the retina at which location?

Answer: Vitreous base straddling the ora serrata

The vitreous base, which straddles the ora serrata, is the site of the firmest vitreoretinal attachment and does not detach even in advanced PVD.

Which cells in the retina are responsible for phagocytosing shed outer segment discs of photoreceptors?

Answer: Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)

RPE cells phagocytose and digest shed outer segment tips of photoreceptors daily, which is essential for maintaining photoreceptor health.