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Understanding the Iris Reflex Mechanism

The iris reflex is a spinal reflex involving the brain, triggered by bright light that activates photoreceptors in the retina. Sensory nerve impulses travel through the optic nerve to the mid-brain, where they synapse with relay and motor neurons, causing the circular muscles of the iris to contract and reduce pupil size. The document also details the anatomy and functions of various eye structures, including the sclera, cornea, lens, and tear glands.

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debjani.bhattacharya
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120 views3 pages

Understanding the Iris Reflex Mechanism

The iris reflex is a spinal reflex involving the brain, triggered by bright light that activates photoreceptors in the retina. Sensory nerve impulses travel through the optic nerve to the mid-brain, where they synapse with relay and motor neurons, causing the circular muscles of the iris to contract and reduce pupil size. The document also details the anatomy and functions of various eye structures, including the sclera, cornea, lens, and tear glands.

Uploaded by

debjani.bhattacharya
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

The iris reflex is classified as a spinal reflex, although

it involves parts of the brain.


[Link] Involvement:
1. Technically, the brain is not essential for spinal
reflexes to occur.
2. Reflex actions in the head (e.g., blinking,
coughing, iris contraction) have reflex arcs in the
brain but are not consciously controlled.
[Link]:
1. Bright light acts as the stimulus.
2. It activates light-sensitive cells (photoreceptors) in
the retina.
[Link]:
1. Sensory nerve impulses travel via sensory fibres in Has both sensory neuron and
the optic nerve to the brain. motor neuron
2. In the mid-brain, sensory fibres synapse with relay
and motor neurons.
[Link]:
1. Motor fibres carry impulses back through the optic
nerve.
2. These impulses reach the circular muscles of the
iris.
3. The circular muscles contract, reducing the size of
Sense •Sclera: Tough, white outer layer of the eye; maintains
shape.
organs •Cornea: Transparent front part of the sclera; allows
light entry.
•Conjunctiva: Thin epithelium lining eyelids and front of
sclera.
•Aqueous Humour: Watery fluid in front of the lens;
maintains pressure.
•Vitreous Humour: Jelly-like fluid behind the lens;
helps retain eye shape.
•Lens: Transparent, flexible; changes shape to focus
light.
•Suspensory Ligaments: Ring of fibres holding the
lens in place.
•Iris: Coloured part of the eye; controls light entry by
adjusting pupil size.
•Pupil: Hole in the iris; lets light into the eye.
•Choroid: Layer with black pigment and blood vessels;
absorbs light and nourishes the retina.
•Ciliary Body: Part of choroid; produces aqueous
humour and adjusts lens thickness via ciliary muscles.
•Retina: Inner lining at the back of the eye;
contains light-sensitive cells.
•Photoreceptor Cells:
•Some detect colours.
•Others detect shades of grey (black & white
vision).
•Tear Glands: Located under the top eyelid;
produce tear fluid.
•Tear Fluid: Dilute solution of sodium chloride
and sodium hydrogencarbonate.
•Function of Blinking: Spreads tear fluid,
keeps the eye moist, removes dust/foreign
particles.
•Lysozyme in Tear Fluid: Enzyme that
destroys bacteria, protecting the eye from
infection.

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