The posterior segment or posterior cavity is the back two-thirds of the
eye
Eyes are organs of the visual system. They provide living organisms with vision, the ability to receive and process visual detail, as well as enabling several photo response functions that are independent of vision. Eyes detect light and conv ...
that includes the
anterior hyaloid membrane and all of the optical structures behind it: the
vitreous humor,
retina
The retina (from la, rete "net") is the innermost, light-sensitive layer of tissue of the eye of most vertebrates and some molluscs. The optics of the eye create a focused two-dimensional image of the visual world on the retina, which then ...
,
choroid
The choroid, also known as the choroidea or choroid coat, is a part of the uvea, the vascular layer of the eye, and contains connective tissues, and lies between the retina and the sclera. The human choroid is thickest at the far extreme rear ...
, and
optic nerve
In neuroanatomy, the optic nerve, also known as the second cranial nerve, cranial nerve II, or simply CN II, is a paired cranial nerve that transmits visual system, visual information from the retina to the brain. In humans, the optic nerve i ...
.
[Posterior segment anatomy](_blank)
The portion of the posterior segment visible during
ophthalmoscopy (or fundoscopy) is sometimes referred to as the
posterior pole, or
fundus
''Fundus'' (Latin for "bottom") is an anatomical term referring to that part of a concavity in any organ, which is at the far end from its opening. It may refer to: Anatomy
* Fundus (brain), the deepest part of any sulcus of the cerebral cortex
* ...
. Some
ophthalmologist
Ophthalmology ( ) is a surgery, surgical subspecialty within medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders.
An ophthalmologist is a physician who undergoes subspecialty training in medical and surgical eye care. Followin ...
s specialize in the treatment and management of posterior segment disorders and diseases.
Vitreoretinal Disease & Surgery - New England Eye Center
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In some animals, the retina contains a reflective layer (the tapetum lucidum) which increases the amount of light each photosensitive cell perceives, reflecting the light out of the eye, allowing the animal to see better under low light conditions.
See also
*Anterior segment
The anterior segment or anterior cavity is the front third of the eye that includes the structures in front of the vitreous humour: the cornea, iris, ciliary body, and lens.Cassin, B. and Solomon, S. ''Dictionary of Eye Terminology''. Gainesvill ...
*Posterior chamber
The posterior chamber is a narrow space behind the peripheral part of the iris, and in front of the suspensory ligament of the lens and the ciliary processes. The posterior chamber consists of small space directly posterior to the iris but anterio ...
(of the anterior segment)
*Vitreous chamber
The vitreous chamber is the space in the eye occupied by vitreous humor.
Structure
Within the vertebrate eye, there are considered to be three chambers: anterior, posterior, and vitreous. It is important to note that the eye can also be classifie ...
References
Human eye anatomy
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