What is the fundus?

What is the fundus?

• A. The retina
• B. The sclera
• C. The cornea
• D. Structures of the posterior segment of the eye that are viewed with ophthalmoscopy

Answer: (D)

The fundus is what you see when you look through the pupil with an ophthalmoscope—the interior surface of the eye at the back. It mainly includes the posterior segment structures you can visualize: the retina, optic disc (where the nerve fibers exit), the macula and fovea, and the underlying choroid. Sclera is the white outer coating, and the cornea is the transparent front window; neither are part of what you inspect in a fundus exam. So the best description is the structures of the posterior segment of the eye that are viewed with ophthalmoscopy. The retina is a key component, but the fundus as a whole encompasses those posterior structures that can be assessed during the exam.

The fundus is what you see when you look through the pupil with an ophthalmoscope—the interior surface of the eye at the back. It mainly includes the posterior segment structures you can visualize: the retina, optic disc (where the nerve fibers exit), the macula and fovea, and the underlying choroid. Sclera is the white outer coating, and the cornea is the transparent front window; neither are part of what you inspect in a fundus exam.

So the best description is the structures of the posterior segment of the eye that are viewed with ophthalmoscopy. The retina is a key component, but the fundus as a whole encompasses those posterior structures that can be assessed during the exam.