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How do the aqueous humor and the vitreous humor differ in their roles within the human eye?
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human eye
A horizontal cross section of the human eye, showing the major parts of the eye, including the protective covering of the cornea over the front of the eye.
The aqueous humor and vitreous humor, while both transparent fluids within the eye, have distinct roles. The aqueous humor, a watery fluid filling the anterior and posterior chambers, maintains the eye's shape and provides nutrients to the avascular lens and cornea. It is continuously secreted and drained, regulating intraocular pressure. In contrast, the vitreous humor is a gel-like substance filling the large cavity behind the lens. Its primary role is to support the retina by keeping it pressed against the choroid. It is composed mainly of water, collagen, and hyaluronic acid.123