Where are a rat's eyes located? - briefly
A rat’s eyes sit on the lateral sides of its skull, close to the top of the head. This placement gives the animal a wide peripheral field of vision.
Where are a rat's eyes located? - in detail
Rats possess laterally positioned eyes that occupy the bony orbits on each side of the skull. The orbits are shallow depressions formed by the frontal, maxillary, zygomatic, and lacrimal bones. Each eye sits slightly forward within its socket, allowing a wide field of view that overlaps minimally at the front.
The ocular anatomy includes:
- Globe: spherical lens and retina oriented toward the external environment.
- Optic nerve: exits the posterior pole of the eye, traverses the optic canal, and connects to the lateral geniculate nucleus and visual cortex.
- Extraocular muscles: six muscles (superior, inferior, medial, lateral rectus, and superior/inferior oblique) attach to the sclera, enabling precise movements.
- Eyelids: upper and lower lids protect the surface; a nictitating membrane provides additional coverage without obstructing vision.
- Orbital vasculature: branches of the internal carotid artery supply the retina and choroid.
The lateral placement grants rats a panoramic visual range of approximately 300 degrees, with binocular overlap limited to roughly 30 degrees directly ahead. This configuration supports nocturnal foraging and predator detection. In laboratory strains, the orbital structure remains consistent, though minor size variations occur among breeds.