MICROSCOPIC STRUCTURE

OF THE EYE AND THE EAR

dr. Sutrisno Darmosumarto, Sp.A

Histology & Cell Biology Department
Faculty of Medicine
GADJAH MADA UNIVERSITY

THE EYE
complex and developed photosensitive organ
analysis of the form, light intensity, and color
reflected from objects
A globe, consist of :
a refraction system to focus the image,
a layer of photosensitive cells
a system of cells and nerves collect, process,
and transmit visual information CNS

The structur of the eye

Composed of 3 concentric layers:
(1) an external layer that consists of the sclera and
the cornea
(2) a middle layer consisting of the choroid, ciliary
body, and iris
(3) an inner layer of nerve tissue, the retina
communicates with CNS through the optic nerve.
Beyond this point, pigmented epithelium over the
ciliary body and a layer of pigment epithelium over
the posterior iris.

The eye compartments :

1. the anterior chamber, contains aqueous
humor
2. the posterior chamber, contains aqueous
humor
3. vitreous space, contains vitrous

I. External Layer (Tunica Fibrosa)

Opaque white
Consists of tough, dense connective tissue
Relatively avascular
Contact at the junction of the cornea with the
sclera (the limbus).
External surface (the episclera) is connected to
a dense layer of connective tissue (Tenons
capsule)
Between Tenons capsule and the sclera is
Tenons space is a loose space the
eyeball rotating movements in all directions.

A. The cornea
Colorless and transparent.
Avascular its metabolites by diffusion from
adjacent vessels and the fluid of the anterior
chamber
Consists of 5 layers :
1. corneal epithelium
2. Bowmans membrane
3. stroma
4. Descemets membrane
5. endothelium

B. The Limbus
The Corneoscleral junction
Highly vascularized
In the stromal layer, an lined channel and other
collecting channels merge the canal of
Schlemm
Fluid from the anterior chamber trabecular
meshwork into the canal of Schlemm
externally with the venous system.
Any impediment to the drainage caused by an
obstruction an increase in intraocular pressure
glaucoma

II. Middle / Vascular Layer

Consists of 3 parts:
A. choroid
B. ciliary body
C. iris

A. Choroid
Highly vascularized
Between its blood vessels loose connective
tissue rich in fibroblasts, macrophages,
lymphocytes, mast cells, plasma cells, collagen
fibers, and elastic fibers.
.
Abundant
melanocytes black color
The inner layer (the choriocapillary layer) is
richer in small vessels than the outer layer
nutrition of the retina
Bound to the sclera by means of a loose layer of
connective tissue rich in melanocytes the
suprachoroidal lamina

B. Ciliary body

Anterior dilatation of the choroid

In transverse section triangle
Loose connective tissue 3 bundles
Muscular movements relaxes the Zinnii
ligament relaxes the tension on lensvisual
accommodation
The surfaces face the vitreous, posterior
chamber, and lens covered by the 2 cell layers
The first layer adherent to the ciliary body
simple columnar cells rich in melanin.
The second layer derived from the sensory
layer of the retina simple nonpigmenti
columnar epithelium.

Ciliary processes
Ridge-like extensions of the ciliary body that have a
loose connective tissue core and are covered by the 2
simple epithelial layers.
From the ciliary processes emerge their fibers (zonule
fibers) adhere to the lens and anchor it to the ciliary
body
The outer non- pigmented layer in the ciliary processes
( the ciliary epithelium) secrete aqueous humor
flows toward the lens and passes between it and the
iristhe anterior chamber of the eye .

C. Iris
I. The anterior surface
a. discontinuous layer of pigment cells
b. connective tissue
c. rich in blood vessels
2. The posterior surface covered by 2 layers of epithelium.
- The outer epithelial cells heavily pigmented with melanin
granules.
- The inner epithelial cells filled with myofilaments the
dilator muscle of the iris.
- melanocytes keep stray light interfering with image
(resemble a camera)
3. The interior contains smooth muscle bundles
concentric the sphincter muscle

D. Lens
This biconvex structure
Great elasticity loses with age
Has 3 principal components:
1. Lens Capsule
2. Subcapsular Epithelium
3. Lens Fibers

E. Vitreous
Occupies the region of the eye behind the
lens.
It is a transparent gel , consists of :
- water (about 99%)
- highly hydrophilic glycosaminoglycans
whose principal component is hyaluronic acid
- collagen fibrils

F. Retina
The inner layer of the eyeball,
Derives from an evagination of the anterior
cephalic vesicle or prosencephalon.
Consists of 2 portions
1. The posterior portion is photo sensitive;
2. The anterior part is not photosensitive and
constitutes the inner lining of the ciliary body and
the posterior part of the iris.

The structure of The retina

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

epithelium pigmenti retinae

conus and bacillus
stratum nucleare externum
stratum plexiforme externum
stratum nucleare internum
stratum plexiforme internum
stratum ganglionare
membrana limitans interna

Bacillus
The flattened vesicles of the rod cells contain the
pigment (rhodopsin) bleached by light and
initiates the visual stimulus.
Retina has 120 million rods extremely
sensitive to light and the receptors used when
low levels of light are present
The outer segment the site of photosensitivity
The inner segment contains the metabolic
machinery the biosynthetic and energyproducing processes

Conus
elongated (60 X 1.5 um).
The structure similar to that of the rods differ
their conical form and the structure of their
external segments composed of stacked
flattened vesicles.
Contain the visual pigment iodopsin most
sensitive to red light

Neuronal network
The horizontal cells establish contact between
different photoreceptors.
The amacrine cells establish contact between
ganglion cells.
The Muller cells supporting cells neuroglia
which possess some large, extensively ramified
cells extend from the inner to the outer limiting
membranes of the retina.

ACCESSORY STRUCTURES OF
THE EYE
A. Conjunctiva:
A thin
Transparent mucous membrane that covers the
anterior portion of the eye up to the cornea and
the internal surface of the eyelids
Has a stratified columnar epithelium
Its lamina propria is composed of loose
connective tissue

B. The eyelid
The skin of the lids is loose and elastic
The tarsal plates consist of dense fibrous and elastic
tissue.
Lined posteriorly by conjunctiva
The orbicularis oculi muscle roughly circular
functions in closing the lids
Three types of glands :
- Meibomian glands
- glands of Moll
- Zeis gland.
The Meibomian glands produce an oily layer the tear
film.
The glands of Zeis are smaller, modified sebaceous
glands connected with the follicles of the eyelashes.
The glands of Moll are unbranched sinuous tubules

1. The lacrimal gland

A tear-secreting gland.
Composed of columnar-shaped cells of the
serous type
Well- developed myoepithelial cells surround the
secretory portions
The secrete passes down over the cornea,
the bulbar and palpebral conjunctiva
moistening their surfaces

THE EAR ( VESTIBULOCOCHLEAR

APPARATUS )
The functions of the vestibulocochlear apparatus are
related to equilibrium and hearing (stato-acoustic).
It consists of 3 parts:
(1) the external ear, which receives the sound waves;
(2) the middle ear, where these waves are transmitted from air
to bone and by bone to the internal ear
(3) the internal ear, where these vibrations are transduced to
specific nerve impulses that pass via the acoustic nerve to
the central nervous system. The internal ear also contains
the vestibular organ, which functions to maintain equilibrium.

1. External Ear
Auricula
irregular form of a plate of elastic cartilage
covered by a layer of skin on both sides.
Contains sebaceous and sweat glands.

2. Tympanic membrane
Oval membrane
Across the deep end of the external auditory meatus lies.
On outer surface covered by a thin outer layer of
epidermis and,
On inner surface simple cuboidal epithelium.
Between these tough connective tissue layer composed
of collagen and elastic fibers and fibroblasts.
In the anterior upper quadrant of the tympanic membrane,
it is flaccid and devoid of fibers Shrapnells membrane.
Functions transmits impinging sound vibrations to the
ossicles

3. Middle Ear
In the interior of the temporal bone,
Irregular cavity that separates the tympanic membrane
(and external ear) from the bony surface of the internal
ear.
Communicates anteriorly with the pharynx by the
auditory tube (eustachian tube) and posteriorly with
the air-filled cavities of the mastoid process of the
temporal bone.
Lined by simple squamous epithelium resting on the
thin lamina propria strongly adherent to the subjacent
periosteum.
Near the auditory tube and in its interior, the simple
epithelium pseudostratified columnar ciliated
epithelium.

The auditory ossicles

The tympanic membrane is connected to the oval window
by 3 small bonesthe auditory ossicles:
- Malleus,
- Incus,
- Stapes
transmit the mechanical vibration generated in the
tympanic membrane to tile inner ear.
The malleus inserts itself in the tympanic membrane and
the stapes in the men of the oval window.
articulated by synovial joints
covered by simple squamous epithelium.
In the middle ear, 2 small muscles are present that insert
themselves in the malleus and stapes. They have a
function in sound conduction

Organ of Corti
Contains:
1. hair cells that respond to different sound
frequency deflexion of these cells set up
depolarizing generator potential releasing
neurotransmitter action potential in bipolar
cells of spiral ganglion
2. basilar membrane where the auditory cells rest
on
3. Tectorial membrane where the tip of the tallest
stereocilia of the outer hair cells are embedded
4. pillar cell supporting cells
5. spiral ganglion

Auditory function
hair cells that respond to different sound
frequency deflexion of these cells set up
depolarizing generator potential releasing
neurotransmitter action potential in bipolar
cells of spiral ganglion