What do lens zonules connect to in the eye?

The lens zonules, also known as the zonular fibers or zonules of Zinn, are connective tissue structures that play a crucial role in anchoring the lens to the ciliary body of the eye. The ciliary body is a ring-shaped structure that encircles the lens and is involved in the process of accommodation, allowing the eye to focus on objects at varying distances.

When the ciliary body contracts, it releases tension on the zonules, allowing the lens to become more rounded and increasing its refractive power for near vision. Conversely, when the ciliary body relaxes, the zonules pull the lens flatter, enabling better focus on distant objects. This relationship between the zonules and the ciliary body is essential for the dynamic adjustment of vision.

The other choices do not have this connective role; the cornea serves primarily as a protective outer layer and is not connected by zonules. The retina is the sensory layer of the eye where image formation occurs, and it does not have any direct connection to the zonules. The iris is involved in regulating light entering the eye but also does not connect with the zonules. Thus, the primary function of the lens zonules is their critical attachment to the ciliary body