endothelial cell junction of choriocapillaris

We can see the endothelial junctions of the choriocapillaris. Knob or flap like overlapping is visible at the junction away from the fenestration.

High magnification view of endothelial cells in the Choriocapillaris

These are high magnification views of choriocapillaris. In the upper images, red blood cells remained in the vessels. In the lower images, we can see the borders and fenestration of endothelial cells. Area of fenestration is 0.5 or 1 µm away from the border. The knobs or leave shaped borders of the endothelial cells overlap with each other.

Three dimensional view of normal choriocapillaris

Choriocapillaris just below Bruch's membrane of mice eye. Choriocapillaris is a mesh of the blood vessels, which feeds retina. Upper images are the low or moderate magnification SEM views of the choriocapillaris seen from the retinal side. The lower image is a high magnification view of the surface of choriocapillaris. Small holes or fenestrations are at the surfaces of the endothelial cells of choriocapillaris, which are similar to This is a normal choriocapillaris, but I can show the pathological change of the choriocapillaris in detail three dimensionally.

Retinal vessels and choriocapillaris

These are retinal vessels (upper and lower left), and choriocapillaris (left) of mice eyes. Left view is the choriocapillaris viewed from Bruch membrane, which is dissolved and disappeared by KOH treatment. Right views are a retinal venule (up) and arteriol (down). Choriocapillaris does not have smooth muscle cells or pericytes at retinal side in contrast that retinal vessels have them.

Three dimensional view of retina

This is a three dimensional SEM (scanning electron microscopy) view of retina. The eye balls were taken from mice body, cut to remove the anterior portions (lens, iris, cornea and anterior half of sclera) of eyes. The specimens were dissolved with KOH to remove the connective tissue and junctional proteins. Top is the anterior site and the bottom is the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE; that is removed in the middle figure). Choroidal side of the RPE shows the infolding.

Structure of Eyes

Eyes composed of inner, middle outer layer. Posterior element of the eyes is divided into retina (inner layer), choroid (middle layer) and sclera (outer layer). I will show the three dimensional structure of blood vessels at each layer by electron microscopy.