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Ciliary processes
Interior of anterior half of bulb of eye. (Ciliary process visible at upper right.)
Diagram of the blood vessels of the eye, as seen in a horizontal section. (Proc. ciliar. visible at center top.)
Latin	processus ciliares
Gray's	subject #225 1010
Artery	short posterior ciliary arteries

The ciliary processes are formed by the inward folding of the various layers of the choroid, i.e., the choroid proper and the lamina basalis, and are received between corresponding foldings of the suspensory ligament of the lens.

[edit] Anatomy

They are arranged in a circle, and form a sort of frill behind the iris, around the margin of the lens.

They vary from sixty to eighty in number, lie side by side, and may be divided into large and small; the former are about 2.5 mm. in length, and the latter, consisting of about one-third of the entire number, are situated in spaces between them, but without regular arrangement.

They are attached by their periphery to three or four of the ridges of the orbiculus ciliaris, and are continuous with the layers of the choroid: their opposite extremities are free and rounded, and are directed toward the posterior chamber of the eyeball and circumference of the lens.

In front, they are continuous with the periphery of the iris.

Their posterior surfaces are connected with the suspensory ligament of the lens.

[edit] Function

The ciliary processes produce aqueous humor.

[edit] External links

• Histology at une.edu
• Histology at BU 08011loa
• http://www.lab.anhb.uwa.edu.au/mb140/CorePages/eye/eye.htm#iris

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.

v • d • e Sensory system – visual system – globe of eye (TA A15.2.1-6, GA 10.1005) Fibrous tunic (outer) Sclera Episcleral layer • Schlemm's canal • Trabecular meshwork Cornea Limbus • layers (Epithelium, Bowman's, Stroma, Descemet's, Endothelium) Uvea/vascular tunic (middle) Choroid Capillary lamina of choroid • Bruch's membrane • Sattler's layer Ciliary body Ciliary processes • Ciliary muscle Iris Stroma • Pupil • Iris dilator muscle • Iris sphincter muscle Retina (inner) Cells Photoreceptor cells (Cone cell, Rod cell) → (Horizontal cell) → Bipolar cell → (Amacrine cell) → Retinal ganglion cell (Giant retinal ganglion cells, Photosensitive ganglion cell) Muller glia Layers Inner limiting membrane • Nerve fiber layer • Ganglion cell layer • Inner plexiform layer • Inner nuclear layer Outer plexiform layer • Outer nuclear layer External limiting membrane • Layer of rods and cones • Retinal pigment epithelium Other Macula • Foveola • Fovea • Optic disc (Cup) Anterior segment Anterior chamber • Aqueous humour • Posterior chamber • Lens (Capsule of lens, Zonule of Zinn) Posterior segment Vitreous humour Other Ocular immune system • Tapetum lucidum • Keratocytes eye navs: anat/adnexa anat/pathways/physio/dev, noncongen/congen/neoplasia, eponymous signs, proc