Aqueous humor

Aqueous humor is the clear fluid in the eye’s anterior and posterior chambers. It supplies nutrients to avascular tissues, removes waste, and helps maintain intraocular pressure.

Ciliary body: The ring-shaped structure behind the iris that produces aqueous humor and changes lens shape. Its ciliary processes secrete the fluid into the posterior chamber.
Anterior chamber: The fluid-filled space between the cornea and iris. Aqueous humor occupies this chamber before reaching its principal drainage angle.
Glaucoma: A group of optic neuropathies involving characteristic damage to the optic nerve, often associated with elevated intraocular pressure. Impaired aqueous humor drainage can raise pressure and increase glaucoma risk.
Vitreous humor: The transparent gel that fills the large cavity behind the lens and supports the retina. Unlike aqueous humor, it is a gel in the posterior cavity rather than a circulating chamber fluid.
Trabecular meshwork: A porous tissue at the iridocorneal angle that provides the main drainage route for aqueous humor. Resistance to outflow through this tissue strongly influences intraocular pressure.
Posterior chamber: The narrow space between the iris and the lens and ciliary body. Newly secreted aqueous humor enters this space before passing through the pupil.
Tonometry: The measurement of intraocular pressure using instruments that assess the eye's response to force or airflow. It estimates pressure influenced by aqueous humor dynamics.
Cerebrospinal fluid: The clear fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord and filling their internal cavities. It resembles aqueous humor in clarity but serves the central nervous system rather than the eye.
Schlemm's canal: A circular endothelial-lined channel in the sclera that drains aqueous humor from the trabecular meshwork. It carries most conventionally drained aqueous humor toward the bloodstream.
Cornea: The transparent, curved front surface of the eye that provides much of its focusing power. Aqueous humor supplies nutrients to the corneal endothelium, which lacks blood vessels.

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