Internal limiting membrane
Internal limiting membrane (ILM) is the innermost layer of the retina, which separates the vitreous body from the rest of the retina. It is a transparent, acellular structure that plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the retina.
Structure[edit]
The ILM is composed of two main components: the basement membrane of the Müller cells and the footplates of the astrocytes. The basement membrane of the Müller cells forms the bulk of the ILM, while the astrocytes provide additional support and stability.
Function[edit]
The primary function of the ILM is to provide a barrier between the vitreous body and the rest of the retina. This barrier prevents the migration of cells and molecules from the vitreous body into the retina, thereby maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the retina. The ILM also plays a role in the regulation of retinal blood flow and the transport of nutrients and waste products between the retina and the vitreous body.
Clinical significance[edit]
In certain pathological conditions, such as macular hole and epiretinal membrane, the ILM can become thickened or contracted, leading to visual impairment. Surgical removal of the ILM (ILM peeling) is a common treatment for these conditions. However, this procedure can be challenging due to the thin and transparent nature of the ILM.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
 | This article about the eye is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding the page. |
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Content may be inaccurate or outdated and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical decisions. Verify information with trusted sources such as CDC.gov and NIH.gov. By using this site, you agree that WikiMD is not liable for any outcomes related to its content. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
