Iris (anatomy)

In most mammals and birds, the iris (pl.: irides or irises) is a thin, annular structure in the eye, responsible for controlling the diameter and size of the pupil, and thus the amount of light reaching the retina. Eye color is defined by the iris. In optical terms, the pupil is the eye's aperture, while the iris is the diaphragm.

This article is about the part of the eye. For other uses, see Iris (disambiguation).
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
PrecursorMesoderm and neural ectoderm
Part ofFront of eye
SystemVisual system
Arterylong posterior ciliary arteries
Nervelong ciliary nerves, short ciliary nerves
Identifiers
Latiniris
MeSHD007498
TA98A15.2.03.020
TA26753
FMA58235
Anatomical terminology
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