The posterior cavity is the largest compartment of the eye and is bounded by what three structures?
iris
retina
cornea
lens
ciliary body
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is iris, lens, and retina.
The posterior cavity of the eye, also known as the vitreous chamber, is the largest compartment of the eye. It is located behind the lens and filled with a gel-like substance known as the vitreous humor. This cavity plays a key role in maintaining the shape of the eye, helping to focus light onto the retina, and allowing the transmission of light to the photoreceptors.
The posterior cavity is bounded by three main structures:
- Iris: This is the colored part of the eye that controls the size of the pupil. The iris helps regulate the amount of light entering the eye by adjusting the size of the pupil. While the iris itself does not directly form the boundary of the posterior cavity, the area between the iris and the lens defines the anterior boundary of the posterior segment.
- Lens: The lens lies behind the iris and is responsible for focusing light onto the retina. The posterior cavity is situated behind the lens. The lens works in conjunction with the cornea to focus images onto the retina by adjusting its curvature.
- Retina: The retina is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye that captures visual information. It is the innermost layer and extends from the optic nerve head to the ora serrata. The posterior boundary of the posterior cavity is defined by the retina, where the vitreous humor is in direct contact.
These three structures—iris, lens, and retina—help define the space and function of the posterior cavity. The vitreous humor fills this cavity, providing support and stability to the internal structures of the eye, while also playing a role in optical clarity. The relationship between these structures ensures proper vision by maintaining the structural integrity of the eye and assisting in the process of light refraction.