Which statement correctly describes anterior and posterior synechiae?

• A. Anterior synechiae attach to the cornea; posterior synechiae attach to the lens
• B. Anterior synechiae attach to the iris; posterior synechiae attach to the cornea
• C. Anterior synechiae attach to the retina; posterior synechiae attach to the iris
• D. Anterior synechiae detach from the cornea; posterior detach from the lens

Answer: (A)

Anterior and posterior synechiae are adhesions formed in the anterior chamber during inflammatory eye disease, such as uveitis. The key difference is what the iris is stuck to: anterior synechiae are iris-to-cornea adhesions, while posterior synechiae are iris-to-lens adhesions. This distinction matters because the location of the adhesion influences pupil shape and aqueous humor dynamics, with posterior synechiae potentially causing pupillary block and secondary glaucoma, and anterior synechiae affecting the angle and anterior chamber depth. The statement that anterior synechiae attach to the cornea and posterior synechiae attach to the lens correctly describes this relationship; descriptions that place adhesions elsewhere or describe detachment do not reflect the actual anatomical connections.