The word "ciliary anatomicum" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /ˈsɪliəri əˌnætəˈkum/. The first syllable "cil" is pronounced like "sill" with a short "i" vowel sound, followed by "iary" pronounced as "ee-uh-ree" with stress on the second syllable. The second word "anatomicum" is pronounced as "uh-nuh-tuh-kihm" with the stress on the third syllable. This term refers to the ciliary body in the eye, which is responsible for producing aqueous humour and focusing the lens.
Ciliary anatomicum, also known as the ciliary body, is a specialized structure found within the eye. It is a circular, thickened region located between the iris and the choroid, spanning the space between the anterior and posterior chambers of the eye.
Its primary function lies in the production and regulation of aqueous humor, the clear fluid that fills the anterior chamber. The ciliary anatomicum consists of numerous ciliary processes, which are finger-like projections that extend inward towards the lens of the eye. These processes contain a rich network of blood vessels and capillaries, responsible for supplying nutrients and oxygen to various eye structures. Additionally, the ciliary body contains ciliary muscle fibers, which play a crucial role in lens accommodation for focusing on nearby or distant objects by altering the shape of the lens.
Apart from the regulation of aqueous humor production and accommodation, the ciliary anatomicum is also involved in the maintenance of intraocular pressure. It accomplishes this through a delicate equilibrium between fluid secretion and drainage. The aqueous humor produced by the ciliary processes predominantly flows through the pupil, entering the anterior chamber, and eventually gets drained through the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal.
Overall, the ciliary anatomicum plays a vital role in the normal functioning of the eye, contributing to visual acuity, intraocular pressure regulation, and maintaining a healthy ocular environment.
Modified sweat glands of the eyelid, glands of Moll.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.