Iris sphincter muscle

The iris sphincter muscle (pupillary sphincter, pupillary constrictor, circular muscle of iris, circular fibers) is a muscle in the part of the eye called the iris. It encircles the pupil of the iris, appropriate to its function as a constrictor of the pupil.

Iris sphincter muscle
Iris, front view. (Muscle visible but not labeled.)
The upper half of a sagittal section through the front of the eyeball. ("Sphincter of pupil" labeled near bottom-center.)
Details
Originencircles iris[1]
Insertionencircles iris[1]
Arterylong posterior ciliary arteries
Nerveshort ciliary nerves
Actionsconstricts pupil
Antagonistiris dilator muscle
Identifiers
LatinMusculus sphincter pupillae
TA98A15.2.03.029
TA26762
FMA49157
Anatomical terms of muscle

Comparative anatomy

This structure is found in vertebrates and in some cephalopods.

General structure

All the myocytes are of the smooth muscle type.[2]

Its dimensions are about 0.75 mm wide by 0.15 mm thick.

Mode of action

In humans, it functions to constrict the pupil in bright light (pupillary light reflex) or during accommodation. In lower animals, the muscle cells themselves are photosensitive causing iris action without brain input.[3]

Innervation

It is controlled by parasympathetic fibers of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M3) that originate from the Edinger–Westphal nucleus, travel along the oculomotor nerve (CN III), synapse in the ciliary ganglion, and then enter the eye through the short ciliary nerves.. The short ciliary nerves then run forward and pierce the sclera at the back of the eye, traveling between the sclera and the choroid to innervate the iris sphincter muscle.

See also

References
  1. Gest, Thomas R; Burkel, William E. (2000). "Anatomy Tables - Eye". Medical Gross Anatomy. University of Michigan Medical School. Archived from the original on 2010-05-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link).
  2. Pilar, G; Nuñez, R; McLennan, I. S.; Meriney, S. D. (1987). "Muscarinic and nicotinic synaptic activation of the developing chicken iris". The Journal of Neuroscience. 7 (12): 3813–26. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.07-12-03813.1987. PMC 6569112. PMID 2826718.
  3. "Mouse eyes constrict to light without direct link to the brain". Phys.org. No. 19 June 2017. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
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