Vitreous Body And Relationships

Question 1

Borders of the Vitreous Body

Answer 1

Anteriorly: posterior surface of the lens, and retro-zonular portion of the posterior chamber

Peripherally: pars plana, ora serrata, and peripheral retina

Posteriorly: posterior retina, optic disc, and macula

Question 2

The center of the anterior surface of the vitreous body contains the _________ fossa.

What sits in here?

Answer 2

Patellar

Lens

Question 3

The vitreous makes up about __% of the eye.

Answer 3

80%

Question 4

All surfaces that interface with the vitreous are..

Answer 4

Basement membranes

Question 5

What part of the ciliary body touches the vitreous?

Answer 5

Nonpigmented epithelium

Question 6

What part of the lens touches the vitreous?

Answer 6

Lens basement membrane of the lens capsule

Question 7

What part of the retina touches the vitreous?

Answer 7

Inner limiting membrane (ILM)

Question 8

The vitreous forms several attachments to surrounding structures, where is the strongest?

Answer 8

At the vitreous base, at the ora serrata.

Question 9

What are the 5 vitreous attachments in order of decreasing strength?

Answer 9

1. Ora serrata
2. Posterior lens
3. Optic disc
4. Macula
5. Retinal vessels

Question 10

Why is the ora serrata the strongest attachment for the vitreous?

Answer 10

There’s more collagen on the periphery, making it easier for attachment.

Question 11

What is the name of the ligament that attaches the vitreous to the posterior lens capsule?

What type of attachment is formed?

Answer 11

Hyaloideocapsular ligament of Weiger (or retrolental ligament)

An annular attachment, circular.

Question 12

What is the space in the middle of the retrolental ligament (of Weiger) called?

Answer 12

Retrolental space of Berger

Question 13

What is the peripalliary adhesion of the vitreous around the edge of the optic disc called?

What’s this issue with this area?

Answer 13

Weiss’ Ring

The adhesion diminished with age

Question 14

What is PVD?

What can this cause?

Answer 14

Posterior vitreous detachment

Floaters, can cause bleeding (just like a tick getting pulled off)

Question 15

What is the main issue with the vitreous attachment to the macula? (Related to aging)

Answer 15

As you age, the vitreous will pull on the macula because mostly all of the vitreous will detach from the retina over time.

Question 16

What problems can arise in the retina from the vitreous attachment on the macula?

Answer 16

It can cause “wrinkling” over time on the ILM of the retina, due to the tension being created. MACULA PUCKER

This can also lead to a MACULAR HOLE (damage to the retina)

Question 17

What attaches the vitreous to the retina/retinal vessels? What are the 2 extracellular matrix molecules found here that have adhesive properties?

Answer 17

“Molecular glue”

Lamina and fibronectin

Question 18

Every vitreous attachment is fibrous except for?

Answer 18

The retinas. It’s “glue” or whatever

Question 19

What is the main issue that can develop on/in the retina from the vitreous attachment?

Answer 19

Pre-retinal hemorrhage

Blood sits in front of the retina and behind the vitreous

Question 20

In diabetic retinopathy, __________________ of retinal blood vessels can occur. Over time, if untreated, what can happen??

Answer 20

Neovascularization. They can grow into the vitreous body and become a very high risk for bleeding! (B/c vitreous is a shock absorber)

Question 21

What are the 3 zones of the vitreous?

Answer 21

1. Vitreous cortex (outermost)
2. Intermediate zone
3. Cloquet’s canal (center zone/canal)

Question 22

What’s an alternate name for the vitreous cortex?

Answer 22

Hyaloid surface, or outer zone.

Question 23

What are the parts of the vitreous cortex that appear as holes? Where are these 3 holes?

Answer 23

Transvitreal channels

1. Prepapillary hole (Weiss ring)
2. Premacular hole (actually just a weak area)
3. Prevascular fissures (where the fibers enter the retina and encircle retinal vessels)

Question 24

What are the membrane-like condensations found in the intermediate zone?

Answer 24

Vitreous tracts

Question 25

Tract found in the center of the vitreous body

Answer 25

Cloquet’s canal

Question 26

What is the Cloquet’s canal a remnant of?

Answer 26

The hyaloid artery system during embryological development.

Question 27

Structure of Cloquet’s Canal

Answer 27

S-shaped, rotated 90 degrees with the center dip downwards.

Question 28

Where does the Cloquet’s canal originate and terminate?

Answer 28

Arises at the retrolental space and terminates at the Area of Martegiani

Question 29

Funnel shaped-space at the optic nerve head that extends forward into the vitreous to become continuous with the canal

Answer 29

Area of Martegiani

Question 30

Space between anterior hyaloid membrane and posterior equatorial zonules

Answer 30

Canal of Petit (or retro zonular space)

Question 31

Space between pre and post equatorial zonules in the posterior chamber

Answer 31

Canal of Hannover

Question 32

Which is more anterior, Canal of Petit or Canal of Hannover?

Answer 32

Hannover

Question 33

Space that lies within the annular ring formed by Wieger’s Ligament (on the lens)

Answer 33

Berger’s Space

…lens is shaped like a burger. Kinda.

Question 34

Space formed by termination of Cloquet’s canal at the location of the Vitreous-optic disc attachment

Answer 34

Area of Martegiani.

Marty Gianni! Sounds like an Italian guy…rowing down the canal…ya know, because Italian people do that.

Question 35

What can blood in Berger’s space be an indication of?

Answer 35

Retinal detachment

Question 36

What is synchysis?

Answer 36

Liquification of the vitreous

Question 37

What is syneresis?

Answer 37

Shrinking of the vitreous gel

Question 38

When enough synchysis and syneresis occurs, what may happen?

Answer 38

The vitreous will attempt to collapse on itself, causing PVD