Glossary

: Cross-section of the eye, showing (a) sclera, (b) ciliary body, (c) iris, (d) lens, (e) retina, (f) optic nerve, (g) choroid, (h) cornea, (i) pars plana, (j) angle, (k) muscle, (L) pupil, (m) anterior chamber, (n) posterior chamber.

Anterior chamber: The cavity in the eye lying in front of the iris and lens.
Anterior chamber angle: The margin of the anterior chamber, where the cornea meets the iris. This is where the 'trabecular meshwork' (ie, gutter) drains water from the eye. Closure of the angle, for example, by tumour, causes glaucoma, which may be painful.
Benign: The tendency for a tumour to show slow and limited growth without breaking surrounding barriers and without seeding to other parts of the body.
Cancer: A group of diseases characterized by the formation of a neoplastic tumour having the capacity to invade surrounding tissues and colonize distant parts of the body.
Cell: The fundamental 'building block' of the human body. The cell is like a bag filled with fluid (i.e., cytoplasm) containing a number of structures, such as: (1) the nucleus, housing genetic material (as DNA coiled to form chromosomes; (2) mitochondria, dealing with energy; and (3) ribosomes, producing proteins.
Choroid: A vascular and deeply pigmented tissue lining, which is sandwiched between the retina and the sclera. The choroid is shaped like a semi-circular cup or bowl.
Chromosome: A rod like structure consisting of coiled DNA, comprising inherited genes encoding the structure and function of the cell. There are normally 23 pairs of chromosomes in each cell.
Ciliary body: A ring of tissue lying at the rim of the choroid and comprising the pars plicata, which is corrugated, and the pars plana, which is flat. The parts plicata pumps water into the eye and stretches the zonular fibres holding the lens.
Conjunctiva: A transparent membrane loosely covering the white of the eye and lining the inner surface of the eyelids.
Cornea: The transparent 'window' of the eye, through which the coloured iris and the black pupil are visible.
Cytogenetic studies: These studies examine the chromosomes (i.e., the DNA) inside the tumour cells so as to identify abnormalities known to be related to tumour behaviour. Mutations occurring in tumour cells are not passed on to children, unlike mutations in eggs or sperm cells.
Fornix: The fold where the eye meets the eyelid.
Fovea: The central part of the retina, which provides detailed vision for recognizing faces, reading, watching TV, etc.
Glaucoma: Excessive intraocular pressure on the optic nerve, causing visible damage to the nerve and visual loss, which may occur with or without pain.
Haemangioma: A benign tumour consisting of blood vessels.
Iris: The coloured curtain regulating the amount of light entering the eye.
Lens: The transparent structure lying immediately behind the pupil, which focuses the image upon the retina.
Lymphatic system: A system of fine tubes conducting milky fluid (i.e., lymph) from the tissues first to nearby lymph nodes (i.e., 'glands') and then to the major veins, near the heart.
Malignant: The tendency for a tumour to behave in an aggressive fashion, growing to a large size, breaking barriers to invade surrounding tissues, and scattering seeds to other parts of the body to form metastatic tumours.
Metastasis: Spread of tumour from the site of origin to distant parts of the body
Neoplasm: A tumour composed of an abnormal family of cells, which may behave in a benign or malignant fashion.
Ocular: Pertaining to the eyeball and its covering membrane, the conjunctiva.
Oncologist: A medical doctor specializing in the treatment of cancer.
Oncology: The investigation and treatment of cancer
Ophthalmologist: A medical doctor specializing in ophthalmology.
Ophthalmology: The investigation and treatment of diseases of the eye and surrounding structures.
Optic nerve: The nerve connecting the eye to the brain.
Orbit: The bony cavity, padded with fat, which contains the eye, the ocular muscles, and any related blood vessels and nerves.
Posterior chamber: The cavity within the eye lying behind the iris.
Pupil: The central opening in the iris, through which light passes to reach the retina and through which aqueous flows from the posterior chamber to the anterior chamber of the eye.
Retina: The light-sensitive film lying at the back of the eye.
Sclera: The leathery, white bag forming the eyeball and containing all the intraocular structures. The sclera is shaped like a cup, which is closed by the transparent cornea at the front of the eye.
Tumour: A mass or lump, ,which may consist of blood clot, neoplastic cells, a cyst.
Vitreous gel: This is the clear jelly filling the posterior chamber of the eye.
Zonule: A fine net basket containing the lens.