Which structure is primarily responsible for draining excess aqueous humor from the anterior chamber?

Which structure is primarily responsible for draining excess aqueous humor from the anterior chamber?

• A. Ciliary body
• B. Iris
• C. Schlemm's canal
• D. Vitreous body

Answer: (C)

Drainage of excess aqueous humor from the anterior chamber occurs mainly through the conventional outflow pathway: aqueous humor flows from the trabecular meshwork into Schlemm's canal and then into collector channels and episcleral veins. The ciliary body produces the aqueous humor, not drains it; the iris sits in the anterior chamber and helps regulate light but does not serve as the drainage route; the vitreous body is in the posterior segment and has no role in draining from the anterior chamber. Therefore, Schlemm's canal is the primary structure responsible for draining excess aqueous humor.

Drainage of excess aqueous humor from the anterior chamber occurs mainly through the conventional outflow pathway: aqueous humor flows from the trabecular meshwork into Schlemm's canal and then into collector channels and episcleral veins. The ciliary body produces the aqueous humor, not drains it; the iris sits in the anterior chamber and helps regulate light but does not serve as the drainage route; the vitreous body is in the posterior segment and has no role in draining from the anterior chamber. Therefore, Schlemm's canal is the primary structure responsible for draining excess aqueous humor.