Ora serrata, scleral plate
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Overlap of the scleral cartilage and scleral plate in the eye of a pigeon (HE)
The scleral plate is a ring of 13 to 15 overlapping ossicles (annulus ossicularis sclerae) embedded in a dense connective tissue layer. Function of the scleral plate is to protect the eyeball against pressure and maintain the shape during flight or dive and to aid in the corneal accommodation by forming a base of attachement for the ciliary muscles.