LESSON 5
REVIEW OF OCULAR AND AUDITORY ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
Section I. OCCULAR ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
5-1. BACKGROUND
a. Stimulus. Rays of light stimulate the receptor tissues of the eyeballs (bulbus
oculi) to produce the special sense of vision. This includes both the sensation of vision
or seeing and a variety of reactions known as the light reflexes. The actual reception of
the light energy is a chemical reaction that in turn stimulates the neuron endings.
b. Sense Organ. The eyeball (bulbus oculi) is the special sense organ that
contains the receptor tissues. The bulbus oculi is suspended in the orbit. The orbit is a
skeletal socket of the skull that helps protect the bulbus oculi. Various structures
associated with the functioning of the bulbus oculi are called the adnexa. The adnexa
include the eyelids, the lacrimal system, and so forth.
5-2. THE BULBUS OCULI (Figure 5-1)
Figure 5-1. A focal-axis section of the bulbus oculi.
MD0805
5-2