title: Morgagnian cataract.
abstract: It appears that morgagnian cataract is a special form of cortico-nuclear cataract. It is assumed that the process of fibre dissolution which is encountered in cortical cataract in general is speeded up and occurs en masse in morgagnian cataract. Enzymatic degradation of membrane and crystallin fibre components could then occur to produce liquefaction of the fibres and resorption of the cortical fluid. Factors responsible for the resistance of the nucleus to this process have been discussed. The high levels of calcium in the capsule and nucleus in this form of cataract could be due to the precipitation of calcium orthophosphate in the capsule and of calcium oxalate in the nucleus.
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D002386:Cataract / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000032:analysis / Q000254:growth & development; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010070:Oxalates / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D010070:Oxalates; D002118:Calcium