Anatomy Optics · Iris and ciliary body anatomy

Persistent pupillary membrane

Persistent pupillary membrane represents remnants of anterior tunica vasculosa lentis. Embryologically, the iris forms as a solid sheet of mesodermal tissue known as the pupillary membrane. It is composed of vessels derived from anterior ciliary arteries and mesenchyme and lies ventral to the lens. The dorsal posterior hyaloid vessels anastomose with the network of vessels in the pupillary membrane to form tunica vasculosa lentis which provides nutrition to the lens. The pupillary membrane undergoes regression aided by macrophage phagocytosis in the sixth month and disappears completely by the eighth month of gestation. A failure of resorption of pupillary membrane leads to persistent pupillary membrane.

AAContributed byDr. Amit AgarwalFellow, Kbhb

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