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The three-dimensional organization of lens fibers in the rhesus monkey

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Abstract

The three-dimensional organization of lens fibers in the Rhesus monkey was studied by means of scanning electron microscopy. The mutual anchoring of lens fibers is brought about by three types of interlocking devices: (1) interlocking protrusions on the apical and lateral edges, (2) ball-and-socket junctions on the apical and lateral surfaces, and (3) microplicae or tongues and grooves on the apical and lateral surfaces. Interlocking protrusions are present all over the lens, whereas ball-and-socket junctions and microplicae are restricted to cortical and nuclear regions, respectively. The distinction between interlocking protrusions and ball-and-socket junctions is discused in detail.

Zusammenfassung

Die 3-dimensionale Ultrastruktur der Linsenfasern des Rhesus-Affen wurde mit Hilfe des Rasterelektronenmikroskops untersucht. Die Verankerung der Linsenfasern kommt zustande durch: (1) ineinandergreifende Protrusionen an den apikalen und lateralen Kanten der Fasern, (2) Kugel-Verankerungen an den apikalen und lateralen Oberflächen der Fasern, (3) Mikroplikae an den Oberflächen der Fasern. Protrusionen wurden gefunden in alien Abschnitten der Linse, wä hrend Kugel-Verankerungen nur im Cortex und Mikroplicae nur im Nucleus gefunden wurden. Der Unterschied zwischen ineinandergreifenden Protrusionen und Kugel-Verankerungen wird im Detail diskutiert.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Morphology, The Netherlands Ophthalmic Research Institute, P.O. Box 6411, NL-1005, EK Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    B. Willekens & G. Vrensen

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  1. B. Willekens
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  2. G. Vrensen
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Willekens, B., Vrensen, G. The three-dimensional organization of lens fibers in the rhesus monkey. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 219, 112–120 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02152295

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02152295

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