Which structure is a stringy membrane that holds the lens in place?

Which structure is a stringy membrane that holds the lens in place?

• A. Retina
• B. Vitreous humor
• C. Sclera
• D. Suspensor ligament

Answer: (D)

The lens is held in place by the suspensor ligament, a network of zonular fibers that extend from the ciliary body to the lens capsule. These stringy fibers suspend the lens so it stays centered and can be reshaped for focusing. The other structures don’t serve this suspending role: the retina is the light-detecting layer at the back of the eye, the vitreous humor fills the posterior chamber, and the sclera is the tough outer coating. The suspensor ligament is essential for accommodation—when the ciliary muscle contracts, the fibers loosen and the lens becomes more curved for near vision; when the muscle relaxes, the fibers tighten and the lens flattens for distance vision.

The lens is held in place by the suspensor ligament, a network of zonular fibers that extend from the ciliary body to the lens capsule. These stringy fibers suspend the lens so it stays centered and can be reshaped for focusing. The other structures don’t serve this suspending role: the retina is the light-detecting layer at the back of the eye, the vitreous humor fills the posterior chamber, and the sclera is the tough outer coating. The suspensor ligament is essential for accommodation—when the ciliary muscle contracts, the fibers loosen and the lens becomes more curved for near vision; when the muscle relaxes, the fibers tighten and the lens flattens for distance vision.