Vitreous Body And Relationships Flashcards
Borders of the Vitreous Body
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
The center of the anterior surface of the vitreous body contains the _________ fossa.
What sits in here?
Patellar
Lens
The vitreous makes up about __% of the eye.
80%
All surfaces that interface with the vitreous are..
Basement membranes
What part of the ciliary body touches the vitreous?
Nonpigmented epithelium
What part of the lens touches the vitreous?
Lens basement membrane of the lens capsule
What part of the retina touches the vitreous?
Inner limiting membrane (ILM)
The vitreous forms several attachments to surrounding structures, where is the strongest?
At the vitreous base, at the ora serrata.
What are the 5 vitreous attachments in order of decreasing strength?
- Ora serrata
- Posterior lens
- Optic disc
- Macula
- Retinal vessels
Why is the ora serrata the strongest attachment for the vitreous?
There’s more collagen on the periphery, making it easier for attachment.
What is the name of the ligament that attaches the vitreous to the posterior lens capsule?
What type of attachment is formed?
Hyaloideocapsular ligament of Weiger (or retrolental ligament)
An annular attachment, circular.
What is the space in the middle of the retrolental ligament (of Weiger) called?
Retrolental space of Berger
What is the peripalliary adhesion of the vitreous around the edge of the optic disc called?
What’s this issue with this area?
Weiss’ Ring
The adhesion diminished with age
What is PVD?
What can this cause?
Posterior vitreous detachment
Floaters, can cause bleeding (just like a tick getting pulled off)
What is the main issue with the vitreous attachment to the macula? (Related to aging)
As you age, the vitreous will pull on the macula because mostly all of the vitreous will detach from the retina over time.
What problems can arise in the retina from the vitreous attachment on the macula?
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)
What attaches the vitreous to the retina/retinal vessels? What are the 2 extracellular matrix molecules found here that have adhesive properties?
“Molecular glue”
Lamina and fibronectin
Every vitreous attachment is fibrous except for?
The retinas. It’s “glue” or whatever
What is the main issue that can develop on/in the retina from the vitreous attachment?
Pre-retinal hemorrhage
Blood sits in front of the retina and behind the vitreous
In diabetic retinopathy, __________________ of retinal blood vessels can occur. Over time, if untreated, what can happen??
Neovascularization. They can grow into the vitreous body and become a very high risk for bleeding! (B/c vitreous is a shock absorber)
What are the 3 zones of the vitreous?
- Vitreous cortex (outermost)
- Intermediate zone
- Cloquet’s canal (center zone/canal)
What’s an alternate name for the vitreous cortex?
Hyaloid surface, or outer zone.
What are the parts of the vitreous cortex that appear as holes? Where are these 3 holes?
Transvitreal channels
- Prepapillary hole (Weiss ring)
- Premacular hole (actually just a weak area)
- Prevascular fissures (where the fibers enter the retina and encircle retinal vessels)
What are the membrane-like condensations found in the intermediate zone?
Vitreous tracts
Tract found in the center of the vitreous body
Cloquet’s canal
What is the Cloquet’s canal a remnant of?
The hyaloid artery system during embryological development.
Structure of Cloquet’s Canal
S-shaped, rotated 90 degrees with the center dip downwards.
Where does the Cloquet’s canal originate and terminate?
Arises at the retrolental space and terminates at the Area of Martegiani
Funnel shaped-space at the optic nerve head that extends forward into the vitreous to become continuous with the canal
Area of Martegiani
Space between anterior hyaloid membrane and posterior equatorial zonules
Canal of Petit (or retro zonular space)
Space between pre and post equatorial zonules in the posterior chamber
Canal of Hannover
Which is more anterior, Canal of Petit or Canal of Hannover?
Hannover
Space that lies within the annular ring formed by Wieger’s Ligament (on the lens)
Berger’s Space
…lens is shaped like a burger. Kinda.
Space formed by termination of Cloquet’s canal at the location of the Vitreous-optic disc attachment
Area of Martegiani.
Marty Gianni! Sounds like an Italian guy…rowing down the canal…ya know, because Italian people do that.
What can blood in Berger’s space be an indication of?
Retinal detachment
What is synchysis?
Liquification of the vitreous
What is syneresis?
Shrinking of the vitreous gel
When enough synchysis and syneresis occurs, what may happen?
The vitreous will attempt to collapse on itself, causing PVD
