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Lens
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The lens is an ellipsoid structure located in the eyeball. It lies posterior to the iris and anterior to the vitreous body. Moreover, the lens is encircled by the ciliary processes, and is attached to them by the zonular fibres.
The lens is comprised of three main parts: capsule, epithelium and fibers. Although it has many layers, the lens is transparent.
The main function of the lens is to transmit and focus the light onto the retina in order to create clear images of observed objects at various distances. The lens is also the main structure of the accommodation reflex. This reflex is activated when the eye focuses on closer objects. The activation of the reflex pathway leads to the increase of the lens curvature which increases the refraction power of the eye (i.e. eye's focus).
| Terminology | English: Lens Latin: Lens Synonym: Crystalline lens |
| Location | Posterior to iris, anterior to vitreous body |
| Structure | Lens capsule, lens epithelium, lens fibers |
| Function | Transmiting and focusing the light onto the retina |
Learn the anatomy of the eyeball with the following study unit:
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Frequent questions
What is the lens of the eye?
The lens of the eye is a transparent, ellipsoid anatomical structure that is located anterior to the vitreous body and posterior to the iris. Its main function is to transmit and focus the light onto the retina.
What is the function of the lens in the eye?
The lens of the eye transmits light into the eye and adjusts its curvature to focus that light onto the retina. This function is vital for achieving clear vision at various distances.
Which part of the eye helps focus light rays on the retina?
The lens of the eye plays the most important role in focusing the light onto the retina. It achieves this by changing its curvature.
Which part of the eye changes the shape of the lens (focusing)?
The lens of the eye changes its shape in order to focus the light onto the retina.
Where is the lens located in the eye?
The lens of the eye is located anterior to the vitreous body and posterior to the iris.
What is the eye lens made of?
The lens of the eye is composed of three main parts: a capsule (a thick basement membrane), epithelial cells and specialized lens fibers which are tightly packed and filled with crystallin proteins.
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