Health Encyclopedia

Ciliary body

Definition

The ciliary body is the structure in the eye that releases a transparent liquid (called the aqueous humor) within the eye.

The ciliary body also contains the ciliary muscle, which changes the shape of the lens when your eyes focus on something. This process is called accomodation.

References

Evans M. Uveitis and other intraocular inflammations. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby Elsevier; 2008:chap 7.

Review Date:8/11/2009
Reviewed By:David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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