øyedannelse

Eyedannelse, a Norwegian term, translates to "eye formation" or "ocular development." This process refers to the complex biological stages that lead to the development of the eye in vertebrates. It begins early in embryonic development with the formation of the optic vesicle, an outgrowth of the developing forebrain. This vesicle then interacts with the overlying ectoderm, inducing it to form the lens placode.

As development progresses, the optic vesicle folds inward to become the optic cup, which will eventually form the retina and the retinal pigment epithelium. Simultaneously, the lens placode invaginates to form the lens. Surrounding mesenchyme differentiates to form structures like the cornea, sclera, iris, and ciliary body. The optic stalk elongates and differentiates into the optic nerve, connecting the eye to the brain. This intricate sequence of inductive interactions and cell differentiation, guided by precise genetic programs, ensures the proper formation and function of the visual system. Any disruption during eyedannelse can lead to various congenital eye abnormalities.