Scanning electron microscopy of frozen-cracked, dry-cracked, and enzyme-digested retinal tissue of a monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops) and of man

Abstract

Cracking and enzyme-digestion methods were applied to retinal tissue from a monkey (cercopithecus aethiops) and from man. By scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the various layers of the retina, as well as of single cells, cell connections and cell interiors were demonstrated in a three-dimensional form. The methods were particularly successful in demonstrating the fibre baskets of Müller cells and the tongue-like processes of the inner photoreceptor segments surrounding the outer segment. Cristae-like protrusions of the inner segments lying in rows along the axis of the segment, possibly disconnected interphotoreceptor contacts, were clearly seen.