Abstract
The structure of the retinal epithelium (RPE), choriocapillaris and Bruch's membrane (complexus basalis) has been studied by light and electron microscopy in the Port Jackson shark (Heterodontus phillipi). In this elasmobranch the RPE consists of a single layer of low cuboidal cells which show basal (scleral) infoldings and apical (vitreal) processes that enclose photoreceptor outer segments. Laterally these epithelial cells are joined by a series of apically located tight junctions. The RPE cells display a large vesicular nucleus, abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum as well as numerous polysomes and mitochondria. Phagosomes are present, rough endoplasmic reticulum is scarce and myeloid bodies were not observed. Melanosomes are absent over the choroidally located tapetum lucidum, but are not abundant even in extratapetal areas. This paucity of melanosomes probably makes retinomotor movements unimportant. Bruch's membrane or complexus basalis is a pentalaminate structure. The endothelium of the choriocapillaris is thin but minimally fenestrated.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alberts B, Bray D, Lewis S, Raff M, Roberts K, Watson JD (1989) Molecular biology of the cell, 2nd edn. Garland, New York
Bernstein MH (1961) Functional architecture of the retinal epithelium. In: Smelser GK (ed) The structure of the eye. Academic Press, New York, pp 139–150
Bernstein MH, Hollenberg MJ (1965) Movement of electronopaque tracers through the scapillaries of the retina. In: Rohen JM (ed) The structure of the eye. II. Schattauer, Stuttgart, pp 129–138
Bok D, Young RW (1979) Phagocytic properties of the retinal pigment epithelium. In: Zinn KM, Marmor MF (eds) The retinal pigment epithelium. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, pp 148–174
Braekevelt CR (1973) Fine structure of the retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptor cells of an Australian marsupial Setonix brachyurus. Can J Zool 81:1093–1100
Braekevelt CR (1980) Fine structure of the retinal epithelium and tapetum lucid Bruch's membrane (complexus basalis) and choriocapillaris in the domestic ferret. Acta Anat 113:117–127
Braekevelt CR (1982) Fine structure of the retinal pigment epithelium, Bruch's membrane (complexus basalis) and choriocapillaris in the domestic ferret. Acta Anat 113:117–127
Braekevelt CR (1983) Fine structure of the choriocapillaris, Bruch's membrane and retinal epithelium in the sheep. Anat Embryol 166:415–425
Braekevelt CR (1985) Fine structure of the retinal pigment epithelial region of the archer fish Toxotes jaculatrix. Opthalmic Res 17:221–229
Braekevelt CR (1986) Retinal epithelial fine structure in the grey seal Halichoerus grypus Acta Anat 127:255–261
Braekevelt CR (1988) Retinal epithelial fine structure in the vervet monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops) Histol Histopathol 3:33–38
Braekevelt CR (1989) Retinal pigment epithelial fine structure in the bobtail goanna (Tiliqua rugosa). Histol Histopathol 4:295–300
Braekevelt CR (1990) Circadian changes in the retinal pigment epithelium of the butterfly fish Pantodon buchholzi. Anat Anz 171:284–292
Braekevelt CR (1992a) Retinal pigment epithelial fine structure in the red-tailed hawk Buteo jamaicensis. Anat Histol Embryol 21:48–59
Braekevelt CR (1992b) Retinal epithelial fine structure in the southern fiddler ray (Trygonorhina fasciata). Histol Histopathol 7:275–282
Braekevelt CR (1993) Fine structure of the retinal epithelium of the tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum). Histol Histopathol 8:257–264
Braekevelt CR (1994) Retinal pigment epithelial fine structure in the short-tailed stingray (Dasyatis brevicaudata). Histol Histopathol 9:501–506
Enoch JM (1979) Vertebrate receptor optics and orientation. Doc Ophthalmol 48:373–388
Kroll AJ, Machemer R (1968) Experimental retinal detachment in the owl monkey. III. Electron microscopy of retina and pigment epithelium. Am J Ophthalol 66:410–427
Kuwabara T (1979) Species differences in the retinal pigment epithelium. In: Zinn KM, Marmor MF (eds) The retinal pigment epithelium. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, pp 58–82
Moyer FH (1969) Development, structure and function of the retinal pigment epithelium. In: Straatsma BR et al (eds) The retina. University of California Press, Los Angeles, pp 1–30
Nakaizumi Y (1964) The ultrastructure of Bruch's membrane. I. Human, monkey, rabbit, guinea pig and rat eyes. Arch Ophthalmol 72:380–387
Nguyen-Legros J (1978) Fine structure of the pigment epithelium in the vertebrate retina. Int Rev Cytol [Suppl 7]:287–328
Nicol JAC (1989) The eyes of fishes. Clarendon Press, Oxford
Porter KR, Yamada E (1960) Studies on the endoplasmic reticulum. V. Its form and differentiation in pigment epithelial cells of the frog retina. J Biophys Biochem Cytol 8:181–205
Rodieck RW (1973) The vertebrate retina. Principles of structure and function. Freeman, San Francisco
Steinberg RH, Miller S (1973) Aspects of electrolyte transport in frog pigment epithelium. Exp Eye Res 16:365–372
Steinberg RH, Wood I (1974) Pigment epithelial cell ensheathment of cone outer segments in the retina of the domestic cat. Proc R Soc Lond [Biol] 187:461–478
Walls GL (1942) The vertebrate eye and its adaptive radiation. Cranbook Press, Bloomfield Hills, p 786
Yorke MA, Dickson DH (1984) Diurnal variations in myeloid bodies of the newt retinal pigment epithelium. Cell Tissue Res 235:177–186
Yorke MA, Dickson DH (1985) A cytochemical study of myeloid bodies in the retinal pigment epithelium of the newt Notophthalmus viridescens. Cell Tissue Res 240:641–648
Young DLW, Braekevelt CR (1993) Retinal epithelial fine structure in the red kangaroo (Macropus rufus). Ann Anat 175:299–303
Young RW (1978) Visual cells, daily rhythms and vision research. Vision Res 18:573–578
Young RW, Bok D (1970) Autoradiographic studies on the metabolism of the retinal pigment epithelium. Invest Ophthalmol 9:524–536
Zinn KM, Benjamin-Henkind JV (1979) Anatomy of the human retinal pigment epithelium. In: Zinn KM, Marmor MF (eds) The retinal pigment epithelium. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, pp 3–31
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Braekevelt, C.R. Fine structure of the retinal pigment epithelium in the Port Jackson shark (Heterodontus phillipi). Anat Embryol 190, 501–506 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00235498
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00235498