Biomaterial Database

Retinal fine structure in the European eel Anguilla anguilla. I. Pigment epithelium of the glass eel stage. 1982

C R Braekevelt

The European eel (Anguilla anguilla) has a complex life cycle during which it changes habitat and to some extent morphology. During this time the eye undergoes modifications in both size and photopigments. This report forms the first of a comparative morphological study of the retina of the eel during the major stages of its life cycle. The retinal pigment epithelium of the glass eel stage consists of a single layer of cuboidal cells joined laterally by cell junctions. Both the basal (scleral) and lateral borders of these cells are relatively smooth while apically (vitreally) numerous processes enclose photoreceptor outer segments. Within the epithelial cells are abundant mitochondria, melanin granules, lipid droplets, myeloid bodies and a peculiar "multitubular body". Phagosomes are present but not numerous. Bruch's membrane is relatively thin and homogeneous. The choriocapillaris although present is not widespread and displays typically fenestrated endothelium.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007365	Intercellular Junctions	Direct contact of a cell with a neighboring cell. Most such junctions are too small to be resolved by light microscopy, but they can be visualized by conventional or freeze-fracture electron microscopy, both of which show that the interacting CELL MEMBRANE and often the underlying CYTOPLASM and the intervening EXTRACELLULAR SPACE are highly specialized in these regions. (From Alberts et al., Molecular Biology of the Cell, 2d ed, p792)	Cell Junctions,Cell Junction,Intercellular Junction,Junction, Cell,Junction, Intercellular,Junctions, Cell,Junctions, Intercellular
D008854	Microscopy, Electron	Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen.	Electron Microscopy
D009940	Organoids	An organization of cells into an organ-like structure. Organoids can be generated in culture, e.g., self-organized three-dimensional tissue structures derived from STEM CELLS (see MICROPHYSIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS). They are also found in certain NEOPLASMS.	Organoid
D010857	Pigment Epithelium of Eye	The layer of pigment-containing epithelial cells in the RETINA; the CILIARY BODY; and the IRIS in the eye.	Eye Pigment Epithelium
D000811	Anguilla	A genus in the Family Anguillidae, Order Anguilliformes, that includes fresh water eels.	Anguillas
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012374	Rod Cell Outer Segment	The portion of a retinal rod cell situated between the ROD INNER SEGMENT and the RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIUM. It contains a stack of photosensitive disk membranes laden with RHODOPSIN.	Rod Outer Segment,Rod Outer Segments,Outer Segment, Rod,Outer Segments, Rod