Zonules
Zonules
Zonules (/ˈzɒn.juːlz/), also known as zonule of Zinn or suspensory ligaments of the lens, are a series of fibers connecting the ciliary body with the crystalline lens of the eye. They are responsible for holding the lens in place and adjusting its shape to help focus light onto the retina.
Etymology
The term "zonule" is derived from the Latin word "zona", meaning "belt" or "girdle", and the diminutive suffix "-ule", indicating a small or delicate version of something. The term "Zinn" is in honor of the German anatomist Johann Gottfried Zinn, who first described these structures in detail.
Function
Zonules are crucial for the process of accommodation, which is the eye's ability to change its focus from distant to near objects. They exert tension on the lens, causing it to flatten for distant vision, and relax to allow the lens to thicken for near vision.
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 zonules.
- Crystalline lens: The clear, flexible structure behind the iris and the pupil that helps to focus light onto the retina.
- Accommodation (eye): The process by which the eye changes optical power to maintain a clear image or focus on an object as its distance varies.
- Retina: The light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the inner eye that converts light images to nerve signals and sends them to the brain.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Zonules
- Wikipedia's article - Zonules
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