2012 Group Project 1

Vision Development

--Mark Hill 12:20, 15 August 2012 (EST) This is a better title.

Introduction

Eyes are an important sensory organ shared across many different species and allow organisms to gather useful visual information from their environment.

Development

Eyes initially form laterally from the paired ectodermic optic placodes and migrate medially in the human embryo. In other animals such as birds and lizards, the eyes do not migrate and develop laterally on the head. The optic placodes become prominent at approximately Stage 14 of development and contribute the lens to the eye.

A Stage 14 embryo showing the location of an otic placode.

Retina

The retinal component of the eye is formed when the optic vesicle fuses with migrating cells from the developing brain.

A cross section showing fusion of the optic vesicle with components of the brain.

Lens

The lens has its origin from the optic placode, which develops on the ectodermic surface of the embryo and migrates both medially and inwards into the embryo. The lens allows accommodation of the eye, and adjusts its thickness in order to focus on near or far objects.

Eyelids

The eyelids are ectodermal in origin and are an extension of the skin which covers and protects the eye.

External Links

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--Mark Hill 12:22, 15 August 2012 (EST) Please leave the content listed below the line at the bottom of your project page.

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2012 Projects: Vision | Somatosensory | Taste | Olfaction | Abnormal Vision | Hearing