Iris (anatomy)
The iris (pl.: irides or irises) is a thin, annular structure in the eye in most mammals and birds, responsible for controlling the diameter and size of the pupil, and thus the amount of light reaching the retina. In optical terms, the pupil is the eye's aperture, while the iris is the diaphragm. Eye color is defined by the iris.
| Iris | |
|---|---|
The iris in humans is the colored (typically brown, blue, or green) area, with the pupil (the circular black spot) in its center, and surrounded by the white sclera. | |
Schematic diagram of the human eye (iris labeled at upper right) | |
| Details | |
| Precursor | Mesoderm and neural ectoderm |
| Part of | Front of eye |
| System | Visual system |
| Artery | long posterior ciliary arteries |
| Nerve | long ciliary nerves, short ciliary nerves |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | iris |
| MeSH | D007498 |
| TA98 | A15.2.03.020 |
| TA2 | 6753 |
| FMA | 58235 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
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