Zonule
Zonule
Zonule (/ˈzɒn.juːl/), also known as Zonule of Zinn or Ciliary Zonule, is a series of fibers connecting the ciliary body and lens of the eye. These fibers are responsible for holding the lens in place and adjusting its shape to focus on objects at varying distances.
Etymology
The term "Zonule" is derived from the Latin word "Zonula", which means "small zone" or "belt". It was named after the German anatomist Johann Gottfried Zinn who first described these structures in detail.
Function
The primary function of the zonule is to hold the lens in place within the eye. They also play a crucial role in the process of accommodation, which is the eye's ability to change its focus from distant to near objects. This is achieved by the contraction and relaxation of the ciliary muscle, which in turn alters the tension on the zonule fibers and changes the shape of the lens.
Related Terms
- Ciliary body: The part of the eye that produces aqueous humor and contains the ciliary muscle, which controls the shape of the lens via the zonule.
- Lens: The transparent structure within the eye that focuses light onto the retina.
- Accommodation: The process by which the eye changes optical power to maintain a clear image or focus on an object as its distance varies.
- Ciliary muscle: A ring of smooth muscle in the eye's middle layer (vascular layer) that controls accommodation by changing the shape of the lens.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Zonule
- Wikipedia's article - Zonule
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