The ciliary muscle is a crucial element in the function of the eye. Its correct spelling may be confusing, as it involves a combination of several sounds. The pronunciation of the word can be represented by the phonetic transcription /ˈsɪl.iˌɛr.i ˈmʌs.əl/. The first syllable, /ˈsɪl.i/, represents the "sill-ee" sound, while the second syllable /ˌɛr.i/ corresponds to the "air-ee" sound. Finally, the last syllable /ˈmʌs.əl/ sounds like "muss-uhl." Accurately spelling and pronouncing the ciliary muscle is essential for medical professionals who study the eye's physiology.
The ciliary muscle is a smooth muscle located in the ciliary body of the eye, which is situated just behind the iris. It forms a ring-like structure around the lens of the eye and plays a critical role in the process of accommodation, responsible for adjusting the shape of the lens to focus on objects at different distances.
When the ciliary muscle is at rest, it is relaxed and in its natural state. In this condition, the lens of the eye is thin, allowing the eye to focus on objects located at a distance. However, when the eye needs to focus on something closer, the ciliary muscle contracts, which causes it to constrict. This constriction slackens the tension on the suspensory ligaments that hold the lens, allowing it to become more rounded and curved. As a result, the lens becomes thicker, allowing light to be refracted properly and focused onto the retina.
The contraction and relaxation of the ciliary muscle are controlled by the parasympathetic nervous system. Nerve fibers from the oculomotor nerve stimulate the ciliary muscle to contract when focusing on nearby objects, and the muscle relaxes when focusing on distant objects. This ability to change the shape of the lens, known as accommodation, is crucial for clear and sharp vision at various distances.
Overall, the ciliary muscle acts as an important mechanism to adjust the shape of the lens, enabling the eye to focus accurately on objects at varying distances.
The word "ciliary" comes from the Latin word "cilia" which means "eyelashes". The term "ciliary muscle" refers to the muscle found in the eye that controls the shape of the lens to allow for focusing on objects at different distances. Its name is derived from its location near the ciliary body, a ring-shaped structure in the eye that contains the ciliary muscle and helps produce aqueous humor.