ANGIOARCHITECTURE OF OPTIC NERVE .I. PAPILLA

The angioarchitecture of the optic nerve head is described as a network of polygonally arranged small vessels lying within the papilla. They are most prominent in transverse sections, but they also connect with the deeper-lying vessels of the lamina cribrosa and possibly with occasional retinal capillaries. The major afferent supply to this network arises from the choroid. Efferent connections with the central retinal vein or its branches are demonstrated; efferent connections with the choroid may also exist. It should be stressed that the number and size of blood vessels seen in fixed and stained sections does not necessarily reflect the actual dynamics of the blood circulation in vivo. © 1969.