Accessory visual structures

The accessory visual structures are the protecting and supporting structures (adnexa) of the eye, including the eyebrow, eyelids, and lacrimal apparatus. The eyebrows, eyelids, eyelashes, lacrimal gland and drainage apparatus all play a crucial role with regards to globe protection, lubrication, and minimizing the risk of ocular infection.[1] The adnexal structures also help to keep the cornea moist and clean.

Accessory visual structures
Front of left eye with eyelids separated.
Details
Identifiers
Latinstructurae oculi accessoriae
TAA15.2.07.001
FMA76554
Anatomical terminology

One source defines "ocular adnexa" as the orbit, conjunctiva, and eyelids.[2] The orbit and extraocular muscles helps for the smooth movement of the eyeball.

Eyebrow
Main article: Eyebrow

The eyebrow is an area of thick, short hairs above the eye. The main function is to prevent sweat, water, and other debris falling into the eye, but they are also important to human communication and facial expressions.

Eyelid
Main article: Eyelid

An eyelid is a thin fold of skin that covers and protects the eye. The levator palpebrae superioris muscle  helps in the movement of eyelid. The human eyelid features a row of eyelashes along the eyelid margin, which helps in protection of the eye from dust and foreign debris. The main function of eyelid is to keep the cornea moist and clean.

Conjunctiva
Main article: Conjunctiva

The conjunctiva is a tissue that lines the inside of the eyelids and covers the sclera. It is composed of unkeratinized, stratified squamous epithelium with goblet cells, and stratified columnar epithelium. The conjunctiva is basically transparent, and the white colour we see is actually sclera.

Lacrimal apparatus
Main article: Lacrimal apparatus

The lacrimal apparatus is the physiological system containing the orbital structures for tear production and drainage.[3]
It consists of:

The orbit
Main article: Orbit (anatomy)

The orbit is the cavity or socket of the skull in which the eye and its appendages are situated. In the adult human, the volume of the orbit is 30 millilitres (1.06 imp fl oz; 1.01 US fl oz), of which the eye occupies 6.5 ml (0.23 imp fl oz; 0.22 US fl oz).[4]. The orbit helps in smooth rotation of the eyeball.

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References
  1. "Ophthalmology training".
  2. Knowles, Daniel M. (2001). Neoplastic hematopathology. Hagerstwon, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 1303. ISBN 0-683-30246-9.
  3. Cassin, B. and Solomon, S. Dictionary of Eye Terminology. Gainesville, Florida: Triad Publishing Company, 1990.
  4. Tasman, W.; Jaeger, E. A., eds. (2007). "Embryology and Anatomy of the Orbit and Lacrimal System". Duane's Ophthalmology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 978-0-7817-6855-9.


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