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Scanning electron microscopy of vascular casts of the human scleral lamina cribrosa
Insights
This study visualizes the human lamina cribrosa's vascular supply using scanning electron microscopy (S.E.M.). It details blood vessel origins, supporting previous histologic findings and offering new 3D insights into its microvasculature.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Anatomy
Background:
- The lamina cribrosa is a critical optic nerve structure.
- Understanding its vascular supply is vital for optic neuropathies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To visualize the three-dimensional vascular morphology of the human lamina cribrosa.
- To identify the primary sources of blood supply to this region.
Main Methods:
- Scanning electron microscopy (S.E.M.) on vascular casts of human autopsy specimens.
- Utilized a modified S.E.M. technique for enhanced visualization.
Main Results:
- Identified two major vascular sources: short posterior ciliary arteries and optic nerve sheath pial vasculature.
- Observed recurrent choroidal arteries supplying centripetal branches.
- Confirmed the central retinal artery does not provide centrifugal branches within the lamina.
Conclusions:
- The study provides novel 3D S.E.M. images of lamina cribrosa microvasculature.
- Findings support and enhance previous research based on serial histologic sections.
- Offers a detailed topographic understanding of radial arterioles in the lamina cribrosa.
Abstract:
Vascular casts of the human lamina cribrosa region were studied in three autopsy specimens utilizing scanning electron microscopy (S.E.M.) in own modified technique. The lamina cribrosa is supplied from two major sources, the short posterior ciliary artery within the sclera and the distal optic nerve sheath pial vasculature. Recurrent choroidal arteries supplied a small number of centripetal branches to the lamina cribrosa. The central retinal artery did not give off centrifugal branches as it coursed through the lamina. The findings in these three human cases in three-dimensional visualization support other recent studies using serial histologic sectioning techniques. The photomicrographs are presented as a first successful images in S.E.M. for additional appreciation of the topographic morphology of radial arterioles.