Optic Nerve

Section of the optic nerve behind the lamina cribrosa sclerae.

1 Ciliary nerve

2 Sclera

3 Pigment epithelium of the lamina suprachoroidea

4 Fiber bundles of the optic nerve

5 Central retinal artery

6 Sept a of the piamater

7 Central retinal vein

8 Internal sheath of the optic nerve (piamater)

9 External sheath of the optic nerve (dura mater)

10 Subdural space

11 Arachnoidea

12 Short posterior ciliary artery

Stain: hematoxylin-eosin; magnification: × 20

Optic Nerve

Cross-section of the optic nerve behind the lamina cribrosa sclerae. The axons of the ganglia cells are combine d in bundles 1 . They are envelope d by a thin septum of the piamater 2 . The optic nerve contains a piamater sheath,  an arachnoidea sheath and a dura mater sheath. The piamater sheath attaches directly to the optic nerve. Septa originate with the piamater and guide blood vessels to the myelinate  nerve f ibers. The nerve fiber bundles contain astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Arteries 3 and central retinal veins 4 are visible in the center of the section. The vessels are sheathed by the loose connective tissue of the piamater.

1 Nerve fiber bundles

2 Piamater septa

3 Central retinal arter y

4 Central retinal vein

Stain: hematoxylin-eosin; magnification: × 40

References

Kuehnel, W.(2003). Color Atlas of Cytology, Histology, and Microscopic Anatomy. 4^th edition . Institute of Anatomy Universitätzu Luebeck Luebeck, Germany . Thieme Stuttgart · New York .