Freeze-fracture Scanning Electron Microscopy of the Human Retina.

Lee, Sung Chul; Kwon, Oh Woong; Davidorf, Frederick H

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 1991;32(12):1080-1085.
Published online December 1, 1991.

Freeze-fracture Scanning Electron Microscopy of the Human Retina.

Sung Chul Lee, Oh Woong Kwon, Frederick H Davidorf

¹Department of Ophthalmology. Yonsei University College of Medicin, Seoul, Korea.
²Department of Ophthalmology, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Ohio, USA.

주사전자현미경을 이용한 망막의 형태학적 연구

이성철(Sung Chul Lee) , 권오웅(Oh Woong Kwon) , (Frederick H. Davidorf)

Abstract

Our current understanding of the ultrastructure of the retina has been gained using transmis sion electron microscopy (TEM) of thin sections. Scanning electron microscopy was proven to be a very valuable adjunct to TEM in retinal research. The present study describes the surface features of the retina. The complex shape of Muller cells varies in different layers of the retina. The Muller cell processes surround the cell bodies in the ganglion cell Iayer and form a part of the inner limiting membrane. The external limiting membrane consists of tight junctions between the beginning of the photo receptors and the Muller cells. The Muller cells extend beyond the external limiting membrane to embrace the photoreceptors. The course of the fibers of the outer plexiform layer is almost parallel to the surface of the macula. The interphotoreceptor space has a reticular structure.

Key Words: Retma;Scanning Electron Microscopy;Muller cell;Macula