ZONULA CILIARIS Meaning and
Definition
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The zonula ciliaris, also known as the ciliary zonule or suspensory ligament of the lens, is a set of fine fibers that attaches the lens of the eye to the ciliary body. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the shape and position of the lens and is responsible for its accommodation.
The zonula ciliaris consists of multiple thin, transparent fibers that extend from the ciliary processes in the ciliary body to the lens capsule. It forms a circular arrangement around the lens, resembling a suspended ring. The fibers attach to the equatorial region of the lens, encircling it while maintaining tension, thereby holding the lens in place.
Functionally, the zonula ciliaris plays a significant role in the process of accommodation, which is the ability of the lens to change its shape and focus on objects at varying distances. When the ciliary muscles contract, the zonula ciliaris becomes relaxed, releasing tension on the lens capsule. This allows the lens to thicken and increase its refractive power, enabling near vision. Conversely, when the ciliary muscles relax, the zonula ciliaris becomes taut, exerting tension on the lens, which flattens the lens and reduces its refractive power, essential for distant vision.
In summary, the zonula ciliaris is a network of fibers that maintain the position and shape of the lens in the eye. It is responsible for the process of accommodation, enabling the lens to adjust its focus for near and distant vision.
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Ciliary zonule, zonule of Zinn, suspensory ligament of the crystalline lens; a fine transparent membrane composed of meridional fibers arising from the inner surface of the orbiculus ciliaris; these run in bundles between, and in a very thin layer over, the ciliary processes; at the inner border of the corona the membrane splits into two folds attached to the capsule on the anterior and posterior surfaces of the crystalline lens close to the equator; the spaces between these two layers of fibers is filled with aqueous humor, they are known as spatia zonularia, or the canal of Petit.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ZONULA CILIARIS
- xonula ciliaris
- sonula ciliaris
- aonula ciliaris
- zinula ciliaris
- zknula ciliaris
- zlnula ciliaris
- zpnula ciliaris
- z0nula ciliaris
- z9nula ciliaris
- zobula ciliaris
- zomula ciliaris
- zojula ciliaris
- zohula ciliaris
- zonyla ciliaris
- zonhla ciliaris
- zonjla ciliaris
- zonila ciliaris
- zon8la ciliaris
- zon7la ciliaris
- zonuka ciliaris
Etymology of ZONULA CILIARIS
The word "zonula ciliaris" is a Latin term that is mainly used in anatomy to refer to the ciliary body. The etymology of this term is as follows:
- "Zonula" is a diminutive form of the Latin word "zona", meaning "a belt" or "a zone". It is derived from the Greek word "zonē" (ζώνη) with the same meaning.
- "Ciliaris" is an adjective form of the Latin word "cilium", meaning "eyelash" or "hair". It is derived from the Latin word "cilia", which means "eyelashes" or "hairs".
Therefore, "zonula ciliaris" can be translated to mean "a belt or zone of the ciliary body".
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