Innervated myotendinous cylinders alterations in human extraocular muscles in patients with strabismus.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze innervated myotendinous cylinders (IMCs) in the extraocular muscles (EOMs) of normal subjects and strabismic patients.


METHODS
The rectus muscles of 37 subjects were analyzed. Distal myotendinous specimens were obtained from 3 normal subjects, 20 patients with acquired strabismus, 11 with infantile strabismus, and from 3 with congenital nystagmus, and were studied by using light microscopy. Some specimens (6 rectus muscles) were also examined by transmission electron microscopy.


RESULTS
IMCs were found in the distal myotendinous regions of EOMs. The IMCs of patients with acquired strabismus showed no significant morphological alterations. However, significant IMCs alterations were observed at the distal myotendinous junction of patients with congenital strabismus and congenital nystagmus.


CONCLUSIONS
This study supports the notion that IMCs in human EOMs function mainly as proprioceptors, along with effector properties, and a disturbance of ocular proprioceptors plays an important role in the pathogenesis of oculomotor disorder. We suggest that a proprioceptive feedback system should be stimulated and calibrated early in life for the development of binocular vision.
Park
Sung-Eun
SE
Department of Ophthalmology, Eulji University School of Medicine, Eulji General Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Sa
Ho-Seok
HS
Oh
Sei Yeul
SY
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008875:Middle Aged; D009801:Oculomotor Muscles / Q000294:innervation* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011434:Proprioception / Q000502:physiology; D013285:Strabismus / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult