Which of the following is called the white part of the human eye?

Appeared in: Tripura CHO - 2021

Explanation

The sclera is the dense, opaque, fibrous outer layer of the eyeball, which is visibly white.
It covers the posterior five-sixths of the eye, providing protection to the inner structures and attachment points for the extraocular muscles.
Its primary functions are to maintain the shape of the eyeball and provide structural integrity.

Option A: The uvea (or uveal tract) is the middle, vascular layer of the eye, situated between the retina and the sclera. It is not the outer white layer.
Option B: Tunic is a general anatomical term for a layer or coat. The eye has three tunics (fibrous, vascular, nervous), but 'tunic' is not the specific name for the white part.
Option C: The iris is the pigmented (colored) part of the eye that surrounds the pupil and controls the amount of light entering.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Anatomy of the human eye as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses routinely assess the sclera for color changes. A yellow discoloration, known as scleral icterus, is a key sign of jaundice, indicating high levels of bilirubin, which often points to liver disease or hemolysis.
Redness, inflammation, or severe pain in the sclera can indicate conditions like scleritis or episcleritis, which may be associated with systemic autoimmune diseases and require prompt medical evaluation.
What if the patient is anemic? In cases of severe anemia, the conjunctiva covering the sclera may appear pale, but the sclera itself remains white. A bluish tint to the sclera in infants or adults can be a sign of a rare connective tissue disorder like osteogenesis imperfecta.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question testing knowledge of basic anatomy.
Identify the core of the question: what is the anatomical name for the 'white part' of the eye.
Systematically review each option.
Recall that the 'iris' is the colored part.
Recognize that 'uvea' and 'tunic' refer to layers or collections of structures, not the specific white outer surface.
Identify 'sclera' as the correct anatomical term for the white, protective outer layer of the eye.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QfIHdOuNTbu8vQ0uOL5ISn

E6 Physiology Ganong 27e Vol 2 Part 3 p. 6-8

E6 Anatomy Applied Ashalatha 4e p. 245-247

E6 Histology Inderbir 11e p. 157-159

Practise the full Tripura CHO - 2021

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.