Page 242 - Ultimate Visual Dictionary (DK)
P. 242

THE HUMAN BODY

       Eye                                                     Lateral
                                                               rectus muscle


       THE EYE IS THE ORGAN OF SIGHT. The two eyeballs, protected
       within bony sockets called orbits and on the outside by the
       eyelids, eyebrows, and tear film, are directly connected
       to the brain by the optic nerves. Each eye is moved by
       six muscles, which are attached around the eyeball.
       Light rays entering the eye through the pupil
       are focused by the cornea and lens to form
       an image on the retina. The retina contains
       millions of light-sensitive cells, called
       rods and cones, which convert the image
       into a pattern of nerve impulses. These
       impulses are transmitted along the optic
       nerve to the brain. Information from
       the two optic nerves is processed
       in the brain to produce a
       single coordinated image.


                             Vitreous humor



                                Macula


                        Central retinal vein
                    Central retinal artery
                       Pia mater
                Arachnoid mater
             Dura mater
           Optic nerve






                                       Area of
                                       optic disk
                                               Retina
                                                  Choroid
                                                      Sclera


                                                 Retinal blood vessel

                                                             Medial
                                                             rectus muscle

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