01 / Location & anatomical relationships
In two bony sockets at the front of the skull.
02 / Structure & organization
The globe has an outer fibrous layer, a vascular middle layer and the retina internally. The cornea and lens refract light, while aqueous and vitreous compartments help maintain its optical arrangement. Extraocular muscles position the globe within the orbit.
03 / Function
They send messages to your brain, which makes sense of what you see.
04 / Mechanism
Light passes through the cornea and pupil, then the lens helps focus it on the retina. Light-sensitive cells create signals that travel along the optic nerve. The brain interprets those signals as a picture of the world.
Part of a bigger picture
The eye belongs in our head & face collection. Explore the nearby parts to see how this area of the body fits together.
Explore head & face →FOR DEEPER STUDY
Connect structure with function
Visual acuity depends on precise focus and retinal processing. The optic nerve carries retinal output, while other cranial nerves control eye movements and pupil responses.
Check your understanding
Locate the eye in relation to its neighbors. Explain how the structural features described above support its function, then distinguish it from a nearby structure with a different role.
Keep learning
Continue with OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology for system-level study. This atlas is educational and has not undergone independent medical peer review.