Abstract
Dissection, light and electron microscopy combined with degeneration induced by intracranial nerve lesions and superficial nerve transection were used to trace the sources of sensory fibres of the inferior conjunctiva of cynomolgus monkeys. Most nerves destined for the inferior conjunctiva were branches of the lacrimal nerve and entered the inferior eyelid laterally. Following unilateral opthalmic neurotomy in three monkeys and combined ophthalmic/maxillary neurotomy in one monkey, substantial and regular degenerative changes were observed in the nerves and nerve-fibre bundles of the inferior conjunctiva. Following intracranial lesions of the maxillary nerve and of the infra-orbital nerve at its facial hiatus, conjunctival nerves showing induced changes were infrequent (four animals) or (absent animal). The results indicate that the inferior conjunctiva is innervated mainly by the ophthalmic nerve contrary to the popular notion that it is innervated mainly or wholly by the infra-orbital branch of the maxillary nerve.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Basmajian JV (1980) Grant's method of anatomy. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore
Duke-Elder S, Wybar KC (1961) The anatomy of the visual system. System of ophthalmology, vol 2. Henry Kimpton, London
Hamilton WJ (1976) Textbook of human anatomy, 2nd edn. Macmillan Press, London
Karvounis PC, Frangos E (1972) Some new aspects of the nerve supply to the cornea and conjunctiva. Monogr Hum Genet 6:206
Last RJ (1967) Wolff's anatomy of the eye and orbit, 6th edn. Lewis, London
Macintosh SR (1974) The innervation of the conjunctiva in monkeys: an electron microscopic and degeneration study. Graefe's Clin Exp Ophthalmol 192:105–116
Mackie IA (1972) Neuroparalytic (neurotrophic) keratitis. In: Black CJ (ed) Trans New Orleans Acad Ophthalmol “Symposium on Contact Lenses”. Mosby, St Louis, pp 125–142
Munger BL, Halata Z (1984) The sensorineural apparatus of the human eyelid. Am J Ophthalmol 170:181–204
Norn MS (1975) Conjunctival sensitivity in pathological cases with simultaneous measurement of corneal and lid margin sensitivity. Acta Ophthalmol 53:450–457
Novotny VO (1934) Zur sensiblen Innervation der Augenlider. Klin Monatsbl Augenheilkd 92:186–189
Oppenheimer DR, Palmer E, Weddell G (1958) Nerve endings in the conjunctiva. J Anat 92:321–352
Romanes GJ (1981) Cunningham's textbook of anatomy 12th edn, Oxford University Press, London
Rowbotham GF (1939) Observations on the effects of trigeminal denervation. Brain 62:364–380
Ruskell GL (1985) Innervation of the conjunctiva. Trans Ophthalmol See UK 104:390–395
Ruskell GL, Simons T (1987) Trigeminal nerve pathway to cerebral arteries in monkeys. J Anat 155:23–37
Ruskell GL (1988) The tentorial nerve in monkeys is a branch of the cavernous plexus. J Anat 157:67–77
Unger WG, Butler JM, Cole DF, Bloom SR, Me Gregor GP (1981) Substance P, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and somatostatin levels in ocular tissues of normal and sensorily denervated rabbit eyes. Exp Eye Res 32:797–801
Unger WG, Terenghi G, Ghatei MA, Ennis KW, Butler JM, Zhang SQ, Too HP, Polak JM, Bloom SR (1985) Calcitonin gene-related polypeptide as a mediator of neurogenic ocular injury response. J Ocul Pharmacol 1:189–199
Williams PL, Warwick R (1980) Grays anatomy 36th edn. Churchill Livingstone, London
Wolter JR (1964) Double nerve supply of Krause corpuscles at the human corneal limbus. Arch Ophthalmol 71:409–411
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Oduntan, O., Ruskell, G. The source of sensory fibres of the inferior conjunctiva of monkeys. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 230, 258–263 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00176301
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00176301