CILIARY BODY :- Definition, microscopic structure

*The Ciliary body is the part of the Uvea, The layer of tissue that delivers oxygen and nutrients to the eye tissues.
*Ciliary body is the forward continuation of the choroid at ora serrata.
*The inner side of the triangle is divided into two parts -

*Pars plicata - the Anterior part having finger like process .
*Pars plana - the Posterior smooth part (about 5 mm wide temporally and 3 mm wide at nasally).

MICROSCOPIC STRUCTURE :-

It consists of following five layers -

*Supraciliary lamina.
*Stroma of the ciliary body.
*Layer of pigmented epithelium.
*Layer of non-pigmented epithelium.
*Internal limiting membrane.

1- Supraciliary Lamina -

*Outermost condensed part of the stroma .
*It consists of collagen fibres.
*It is a continuation of the suprachoroidal lamina ,posteriorly.
*Anteriorly it continues with anterior limiting membrane of the Iris.

2- Stroma of the ciliary body -

*It consists of connective tissue of collagen and fibroblasts.

3- Layer of pigmented epithelium -

*It is forward continuation of the RPE (Retina pigmented epithelium).
*Anteriorly it is become continuation with the Anterior pigmented epithelium of the Iris .

4- Layer if non-pigmented epithelium -

*It consists of cuboidal cells and low columnar cells.
*Forward continuation of the sensory retina which stop at the ora serrata .

5- Internal limiting membrane -

*It is the forward continuation of the internal limiting membrane of the Retina.


CILIARY PROCESSES :-

*Folds on the inner Ciliary epithelium are called ciliary processes.
*Ciliary processes are arranged in a circle, and form a sort of frill behind the Iris .
*It is composed of three basic components :
           *The network of capillaries.
           *Stroma of ciliary processes.
           *Two layers of epithelium.

 FUNCTION:-

1. It helps in production of aqueous humour.