Distribution of Adrenergic Nerves in the Eye and Some Related Structures in the Cat

Abstract

Abstract With the specific and highly sensitive fluorescence technique of Falck and Hillarp, the distribution of adrenergic nerves has been studied in the eye and some related structures in the cat. Adrenergic nerves occur in the cornea, in the loose connective tissue at the limbus, in the tissues of the chamber angle and in the iridic stroma. The large vessels of the iris possess the same spacious arrangement of the adrenergic fibres as is seen in many other mammals. Both the sphincter and the dilator pupillae have a rich supply of varicose adrenergic fibres. There is a layer of varicose adrenergic fibres under the ciliary epithelium and in the ciliary processes. In the retina, there is a layer of adrenergic fibres between the inner nuclear and the inner plexiform layers, as well as adrenergic nerve cells both in the inner nuclear layer and ganglion cell layer. The tarsal muscle as well as the muscle of the nictitating membrane has a wide‐meshed plexus of adrenergic nerves. In the lacrimal gland, seemingly every secretory cell is reached by an adrenergic fibre.