Sclera

Template:Infobox Anatomy Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

The sclera is the opaque (usually white), fibrous, protective layer of the eye containing collagen and elastic fibers. In children, it is thinner and shows some of the underlying pigment, appearing slightly blue. In the old, however, fatty deposits on the sclera can make it appear slightly yellow.

The sclera forms the posterior five sixths of the connective tissue coat of the globe. The sclera maintains the shape of the globe, offering resistance to internal and external forces, and provides an attachment for the extraocular muscle insertions. The thickness of the sclera varies from 1mm at the posterior pole to 0.3 mm just behind the rectus muscle insertions.

Additional images

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  Interior of anterior half of bulb of eye.

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  The terminal portion of the optic nerve and its entrance into the eyeball, in horizontal section.

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  The interior of the posterior half of the left eyeball.

External links

• Histology image: 08008loa – Histology Learning System at Boston University
• Template:UMichAtlas - "Sagittal Section Through the Eyeball"

Template:Eye Template:Visual system Template:Muscles of orbit