Question

How many compartments the eye contains? a. Three: cornea, anterior chamber and posterior chamber b. Two: anterior and posterior chamber c. Four: cornea, anterior chamber, posterior chamber and vitreous cavity d. Three: anterior chamber, posterior chamber and vitreous cavity

Short answer

Answer: There are three compartments present in the eye: the anterior chamber, posterior chamber, and vitreous cavity.

Step-by-step solution

Read the question and options carefully

Understand the given options and determine which one correctly describes the number of compartments in the eye and their names.

Recall the anatomy of the eye

Remember that the eye has three main compartments or chambers, which are separated by different structures.

Compare the options with the known anatomy

Compare the given options to the known anatomy of the eye: a. Three: cornea, anterior chamber and posterior chamber -> The cornea is not a chamber or compartment. b. Two: anterior and posterior chamber -> While these are two chambers, there is still another chamber missing. c. Four: cornea, anterior chamber, posterior chamber and vitreous cavity -> The cornea is not a chamber or compartment. d. Three: anterior chamber, posterior chamber and vitreous cavity -> The correct answer, since it lists all three compartments.

Select the correct answer

Choose option d, which correctly describes the three compartments of the eye: the anterior chamber, posterior chamber, and vitreous cavity.

Key concepts

Ocular Compartments

Understanding the ocular compartments is essential in grasping the basics of eye anatomy. The human eye is a complex organ consisting of several compartments that work together to facilitate vision. There are three main ocular compartments: the anterior chamber, the posterior chamber, and the vitreous cavity. Each of these plays a unique role in maintaining the eye's structure and function.

The anterior chamber is located between the cornea, which serves as the eye's outermost lens, and the iris, the colored part of the eye. The posterior chamber sits right behind the iris and in front of the lens, a flexible structure that focuses light onto the retina. Lastly, the vitreous cavity is the largest compartment and fills most of the eye's volume, lying between the lens and the retina. It is crucial for students to not mistake other parts, such as the cornea, as a compartment since it doesn't enclose space like the aforementioned three.

Anterior Chamber

The anterior chamber is a fluid-filled space inside the eye, situated between the cornea and the iris. This chamber is filled with a clear, watery fluid called the aqueous humor. The aqueous humor provides nutrients to the eye and is also responsible for maintaining intraocular pressure, which is critical for the eye's shape and optical properties.

The aqueous humor is produced by the ciliary body, which lies in the posterior chamber. Then, it flows into the anterior chamber through the pupil and exits the eye through the trabecular meshwork, located at the chamber's angle. If this fluid is unable to drain properly, it can lead to a condition known as glaucoma, which can harm one's vision.

Posterior Chamber

Sitting right behind the iris and in front of the lens, we find the posterior chamber, another fluid-filled compartment of the eye. Though smaller than the anterior chamber, the posterior chamber also contains aqueous humor. This chamber plays a pivotal role in funneling the aqueous humor into the anterior chamber.

It's crucial to note the difference between the posterior chamber and the larger vitreous cavity, as both are often confused. The posterior chamber is much smaller, and its primary function is related to the circulation of the aqueous humor, which maintains intraocular pressure and provides nutrients to surrounding tissues.

Vitreous Cavity

The largest compartment within the eye is the vitreous cavity. It's filled with a clear, gel-like substance known as the vitreous humor or vitreous gel. This gel maintains the spherical shape of the eye and keeps the retina in place by pressing it against the choroid.

With age, the vitreous humor can liquefy and shrink, which might lead to floaters—small shadows or shapes that seemingly float in a person's field of vision. The vitreous cavity is separated from the lens by a thin structure known as the hyaloid membrane. Unlike the anterior and posterior chambers, the vitreous cavity does not have a continuous flow of fluid, which is why it is less involved in intraocular pressure regulation.