Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Using a Laminating Technique to Perform Confocal Microscopy of the Human Sclera
Published on: May 6, 2016
Schlemm's canal endothelia, lymphatic, or blood vasculature?
Renata F Ramos1, James B Hoying, Marlys H Witte
1Biomedical Engineering Program, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
Abstract:
In the human eye, the final barrier for aqueous humor to cross before returning to systemic circulation is the inner wall of Schlemm's canal. Unfortunately, the specific contribution of the inner wall to total outflow resistance in the conventional pathway is unknown in both normal and glaucomatous eyes. To better understand inner wall physiology, we contrasted it with 2 specialized continuous endothelia, initial lymphatic, and blood capillary endothelia. Specifically, we compare their developmental origin, morphology, junctional complexes, microenvironment, and physiologic responses to different biomechanical factors. Our evaluation concludes that the inner wall of Schlemm's canal is unique, sharing extraordinary characteristics with both types of specialized endothelia in addition to having distinctive features of its own.
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