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The fine structure of the human retina at the ora serrata

1972; Springer Science+Business Media; Volume: 185; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1007/bf00417613

0065-6100

Frank Joussen, Manfred Spitznas,

Barrier Structure and Function Studies

Approaching the ora serrata the firm adhesion between sensory retina and pigment epithelium is lost. The resulting space is termed ora gap. Abnormal photoreceptors and displaced cell bodies of Müller cells project into this gap. Anteriorly the gap is limited by a fusion of the neuroretinal and pigment epithelial adhesion zones. Free cells that can be identified as dislocated pigment epithelial cells are regularly found in the ora gap. Adjacent to the very peripheral retina a marked decrease of the number of basal infoldings of the pigment epithelium can be observed. The clinical significance of the findings is discussed.