Initial observations on the ocular microcirculation in man. I. The anterior segment and extraocular muscles
N. F. Woodlief
Gold-coated, plastic corrosion casts of the human ocular microcirculation
were studied by scanning electron microscopy to define the
angioarchitecture of the anterior segment, ciliary processes, and
extraocular muscles. Several arterial branches from the major arterial
circle (MAC) supplied each ciliary process. The afferent arterial supply
may be regulated by a sphincter mechanism at its branch point from the MAC.
The ciliary processes and ciliary muscle seem to be drained by iris veins
and prominent venules, one of which is present between each pair of ciliary
processes, and directly into pars plana veins. The predominant drainage
channel of the ciliary processes is directly into the pars planar veins;
the ciliary muscle seems to be drained by the other two routes primarily.
The extraocular muscles possess a rich blood supply. No anastomoses of the
anterior ciliary arteries with the MAC were noted, although they did
contribute to the blood supply of the iris, ciliary muscle, and episcleral
vascular complex.
