Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The three-dimensional architecture of collagen fibrils in the lamina cribrosa and the anterior part of the optic nerve

  • Rapid Communication
  • Published:
Medical Electron Microscopy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The three-dimensional architecture of the collagen fibrillar network forming the lamina cribrosa of the optic disc and the associated septal plates of the anterior part of the optic nerve was investigated using monkey eyeballs treated by the NaOH cell-maceration procedure and scanning electron microscopy. Arising from the scleral collagen fibrils branches joined together to form thick bundles of collagen in lamina plates encompassing hundreds of pores. More than ten plates were observed stacked on top of each other forming the pore channels. Adjacent piled up plates were interconnected with branching collagen fibrils. Septal plates derived from pia mater collagen fibrils were formed by radially and obliquely arranged thick bundles of collagen piled up longitudinally in the optic nerve and merging into the most posterior lamina plate. In the septal plates many ovally shaped windows were observed, suggesting branching and regional irregularity in the shape of the myelinated nerve fiber bundle. Pia mater and dura mater collagen fibrils of the optic nerve merged into the outer layer of the scleral collagen fibris. The present results suggest that the observed three-dimensional network of collagen fibrils constitutes the skeletal framework of these tissues maintaining their morphological specificity and providing a suitable microenvironment for their physiological functions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Lampert, P.W., Vogel, M.H. andZimmerman, L.E.: Pathology of the optic nerve in experimental acute glaucoma: electron microscopic studies.Invest. Ophthalmol. 7, 199–213 (1968).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Emery, J.M., Landis, D., Paton, D., Boniuk, M. andCraig, J.M.: The lamina cribrosa in normal and glaucomatous human eye.Trans. Am. Acad. Ophthalmol. Otolaryngol. 78, 290–297 (1974).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Kamao, T., Mizokami, K. andIsayama, Y.: Scanning electron microscopical studies for the lamina cribrosa in normal and glaucomatous eyes.Folia Ophthalmol. Jpn. 29, 227–236 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Quigley, H.A. andAddicks, E.M.: Regional differences in the structure of the lamina cribrosa and their relation to glaucomatous optic nerve damage.Arch. Ophthalmol. 99, 137–143 (1981).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Ueno, H., Matsuo, N., Green, W.R. andQuigley, H.A.: Scanning electron microscopic studies of the scleral lamina cribrosa in normal and glaucomatous eyes.Folia Ophthalmol. Jpn. 33, 695–702 (1982).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Ohtani, O.: Three-dimensional organization of the connective tissue fibers of the human pancreas: a scanning electron microscopic study of NaOH treated-tissues.Arch. Histol. Jpn. 50, 557–566 (1987).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Ohtani, O., Ushiki, T., Taguchi, T. andKikuta, A.: Collagen fibrillar networks as skeletal frameworks: a demonstration by cell-maceration/scanning electron microscopic method.Arch. Histol. Cytol. 51, 249–261 (1988).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Kikuta, A., Ohtani, O. andMurakami, T.: Three-dimensional organization of the collagen fibrillar framework in rat adrenal gland.Arch. Histol. Cytol. 54, 133–144 (1991).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Komai, Y. andUshiki, T.: The three-dimensional organization of collagen fibrils in the human cornea and sclera.Invest. Ophthalmol. Visual Sci. 32, 2244–2258 (1991).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Wolter, J.R.: The human optic papilla: a demonstration of new anatomic and pathologic findings.Am. J. Ophthalmol. 44, 48–65 (1957).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Hayreh, S.S. andVrabec, F.: The structure of the head of the optic nerve in rhesus monkey.Am. J. Ophthalmol. 61, 136–150 (1966).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Herandez, M.R., Lou, X.X., Igoe, F. andNeufeld, A.H.: Extracellular matrix of the human lamina cribrosa.Am. J. Ophthalmol. 104, 567–576 (1987).

    Google Scholar 

  13. Anderson, D.R.: Ultrastructure of human and monkey lamina cribrosa and optic nerve head.Arch. Ophthalmol. 82, 800–814 (1969).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Anderson, D.R.: Ultrastructure of the optic nerve head.Arch. Ophthalmol. 83, 63–73 (1970).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Heegaad, S., Jensen, O.A. andPrause, J.U.: Structure of the vitread face of the monkey optic disc (Macacca mulatta). SEM on frozen resin-cracked optic nerveheads supplemented by TEM and Immunohistochemistry.Graefe's Arch. Clin. Exp. Ophthalmol. 226, 377–383 (1988).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Aichi Medical University, 21, Karimata, Yazako, Nagakute-cho, Aichi-gun, 480-11, Aichi, Japan

    Shozo Nishida, Satoshi Mizutani & Hideya Uchida

Authors
  1. Shozo Nishida
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Satoshi Mizutani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hideya Uchida
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Nishida, S., Mizutani, S. & Uchida, H. The three-dimensional architecture of collagen fibrils in the lamina cribrosa and the anterior part of the optic nerve. Med Electron Microsc 26, 199–205 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02348001

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02348001

Key words

Search

Navigation