title: Retinal epithelial fine structure in the domestic cat (Felis catus).
abstract: The morphology of the retinal epithelium (RPE) and closely associated choriocapillaris and Bruch's membrane (complexus basalis) has been investigated in the eye of the domestic cat (felis catus) by light and electron microscopy. The RPE consists of a single layer of cuboidal cells joined laterally by apically-located junctional complexes. Basally (sclerally) these cells display numerous infoldings while apically (vitreally) two distinct types of processes enclose photoreceptor outer segments. Internally the large vesicular nucleus is centrally located. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, polysomes and lysosome-like bodies are abundant. Rough endoplasmic reticulum while present is not plentiful. Over the tapetum lucidum, melanosomes are absent from the RPE cells while in non-tapetal locations melanosomes are large and plentiful. The endothelium of the choriocapillaris is highly fenestrated and these capillaries are deeply indented into the epithelial layer over the tapetum. Bruch's membrane (complexus basalis) is non-tapetal regions is the typical pentalaminate structure noted for most mammals. Over the tapetum however it is reduced to a trilaminate structure and when associated with the indented capillary profiles is further reduced to a single thickened basal lamina.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Braekevelt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000648:ultrastructure*