A HISTOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE CHIMPANZEE EYE.
Abstract
Thirteen eyes of normal chimpanzees from 1-3/4 to 15 years of age were serially sectioned for histological study. No significant differences related to age could be identified. The chimpanzee eye corresponds closely to the human eye, the chief differences being related to the structures of the anterior chamber angle. Although basically similar to the human, they appear to represent a stage in evolutionary development somewhat less advanced. The canal of Schlemm is a larger and more irregular channel than the human canal, with its endothelial lining interrupted so that its lumen becomes continuous with the trabecular spaces. The scleral trabeculae are of two kinds, coarse and fine. The coarse ones are like the human scleral trabeculae but are fewer. The fine trabeculae are continuous with the delicate fibrous stroma of the ciliary body which extends between the circular muscle fibers and the longitudinal and oblique fibers, thus filling in the vestigial ciliary cleft. The fine fibers resemble those occupying the chamber angle of the human foetus eye before their atrophy deepens the angle. The uveal trabeculae are histologically identical to those of the human eye but are more numerous and nearly twice their diameter. They collectively correspond to the pectinate ligament of lower mammals. The suprachoroidal lamellae are networks of flat branching elastic trabeculae bearing pigment cells. Although this differs from the usual description of the human suprachoroidea, re-examination of human preparations discloses no difference between human and chimpanzee. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0650566
Entities
People
- Russell L. Carpenter
Organizations
- Tufts University