Summary
Electron microscopical examination of corneal nerves in rhesus and cynomolgous monkeys revealed that limbal, subepithelial nerves gained direct access to the corneal epithelium. Epithelial axons occurred singly and infrequently and they were confined to the basal layer of cells.
All nerves of the stroma terminated within the layer and rami perforans were not found. The apparent barrier to nerve passage presented by Bowman's layer in monkeys was discussed in relation to primates in general.
The isolation of stromal and epithelial nerve fibres confirms that terminals occur in both layers and their respective potential for excitation was briefly discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Attias, G.: Die Nerven der Hornhaut des Menschen. Graefes Arch. Ophthal. 83, 207–316 (1912)
Boeke, J.: Innervationsstudien. VIII. Zur Innervation der Cornea bei Säugern. Die Innervierung des Bindegewebes der Cornea bei Macacus rhesus. Z. mikr.-anat. Forsch. 38, 549–618 (1935)
Duke-Elder, S., Wybar, K.C.: The anatomy of the visual system. In: System of ophthalmology (S. Duke-Elder, ed.), Vol. II, pp. 125. London: Kimpton 1961
Engelbrecht, W.: Die epithelialen und subepithelialen Nervenendigungen in der menschlichen Hornhaut. Graefes Arch. Ophthal. 154, 65–78 (1953)
Fine, B., Yanoff, M.: Ocular histology: A text and atlas, pp. 148. New York: Harper and Row 1972
Hogan, J.M., Alvarado, J.A., Weddell, J.E.: Histology of the human eye. An atlas and textbook, pp. 62. Philadelphia: Saunders 1971
Hoyes, A., Barber, P.: Ultrastructure of the corneal nerves in the rat. Cell Tiss. Res. 172, 133–144 (1976)
Matsuda, H.: Electron microscopic study on the corneal nerve with special reference to its endings. Jap. J. Ophthal. 12, 163–173 (1968)
Millodot, M., Lim, C.H., Ruskell, G.L.: A comparison of corneal sensitivity and nerve density in albino and pigmented rabbits (in press)
Pouliquen, Y.: Atlas d'histologie et d'ultrastructure du globe oculaire, pp. 11. Paris: Masson 1969
Prince, J.H., Diesem, C.D., Eglitis, I., Ruskell, G.L.: Anatomy and histology of the eye and orbit in domestic animals. Illinois: Thomas 1960
Reiser, K.: Über die Innervation der Hornhaut des Auges. Arch. Augenheilk. 109, 251–280 (1935)
Robertson, D., Winkelmann, R.: A whole mount cholinesterase technique for demonstrating corneal nerves: Observations in albino rabbit. Invest. Ophthal. 9, 710–715 (1970)
Virchow, H.: Mikroskopische Anatomie der äusseren Augenhaut und des Lidapparates. In: Handbuch für Augenheilkunde (Graefe-Saemisch), Ch. 1., Pt. 1., Sect. II, 2end ed. 1910
Whitear, M.: An electron microscope study of the cornea in mice, with special reference to the innervation. J. Anat. (Lond.) 194, 387–409 (1960)
Zander, E., Weddell, G.: Observations on the innervation of the cornea. J. Anat. (Lond.) 85, 68–99 (1951)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lim, C.H., Ruskell, G.L. Corneal nerve access in monkeys. Albrecht von Graefes Arch. Klin. Ophthalmol. 208, 15–23 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00406978
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00406978