A Study of the Fibrous Components of the Vitreous Body of the Electron Microscope.

Abstract

1. Electron micrographs have been obtained of a fibrous fraction separated from fragmented fresh vitreous humor of cattle eyes by centrifugation, which reveal the presence of three morphologically distinct fibril types. 2. The least numerous species is represented by a fibril 500-800 A in width having an axial periodicity of about 640 A and intraperiod structure characteristic of collagen. 3. A second fibrous component measuring 150-200 A in width is characterized by a repeating axial period averaging about 610 A. 4. A third and most abundant element is a fibril averaging 250 A in width exhibiting only a suggestion of a very fine axial repeating period.