Encyclopedia of Ophthalmology

Living Edition
| Editors: Ursula Schmidt-Erfurth, Thomas Kohnen

Anterior Chamber

Living reference work entry
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-35951-4_412-4
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Definition

The anterior chamber of the eye is the space between the posterior surface of the cornea and the anterior surface of the iris and lens which is filled with aqueous humor.

Anatomy

The anterior chamber is limited anteriorly by the cornea and posteriorly by the iris and the pupil. The anterior chamber angle at the junction between cornea and iris consists of the following structures:

  • Schwalbe’s line

  • Canal of Schlemm and trabecular meshwork

  • Scleral spur

  • Anterior surface of the ciliary body

  • Iris

The depth of the anterior chamber can vary between individuals. It is deeper in myopia, aphakia, and pseudophakia. In the adult emmetropic eye it has a central depth of about 3 mm. It is most shallow just centrally of the angle. The anterior chamber volume in the emmetropic eye is approximately 250 μl.

Aqueous Flow

The anterior chamber is filled with aqueous humor which is produced by the ciliary epithelium in the posterior chamber. The aqueous humor flows though the pupil and is drained...

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References

  1. Albert DM, Miller JW, Azar DT, Blodi BA (2008) Principles and practice of ophthalmology. Saunders, PhiladelphiaGoogle Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2012

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Klinik für AugenheilkundeKlinikum Bad HersfeldBad HersfeldGermany
  2. 2.Department of OphthalmologyGoethe-Universität Frankfurt/MainFrankfurt/MainGermany