Vasculature of the optic nerve in anencephaly.
The optic nerves and globes obtained from 6 anencephalics were studied histologically and compared to normal specimens obtained from 4 stillborn infants as well as 1 case of septo-optic dysplasia. Special emphasis was placed on examination of the optic nerve, and it was found that an average of 48 vessels per high-power field were seen posterior to the lamina cribrosa in anencephalics. In contrast, control globes had an average of 12 vessels per high-power field. This suggested that an increase in the vasculature of the hypoplastic optic nerve is a characteristic feature of anencephalics.
D000757:Anencephaly / Q000473:pathology*; D005124:Eye Abnormalities; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D012590:Sclera / Q000033:anatomy & histology