CHOROID

Anatomy of Choroid

• Part of vascular
pigmented layer, lining the
inner surface of sclera

• Extends from optic nerve

– cilliary body

• At the optic nerve 

continuous with pia and
arachnoid.
 Histologically...

3 layers of choroid :
(suprachoroid)
1. The vessel layer
2. The capillary layer
3. Bruch’s membrane
Histologically...
 Histologically...

• Between sclera and choroid

• contains components from

sclera (fibrous) and
melanocytes from choroid

• Lond and short posterior

cilliary arteries and nerves
 Histologically...
The Vesel layer / stroma:
• pigmented (melanocytes),
vascularized, loose connective tissue

• Immune system ; macrophage, mast

cell, lymphocytes

• Large vessel (Haller’s layer) &

medium vessel (satler’s layer)
↓
branch of long & short posterior
cilliary arteries.

• Venules  vorticose vein 

ophtalmic veins

• innervated by long & short cillairy n.

 Histologically...

The Capillary layer :

• Supported by connective
tissue containing melanocytes

•Multiple fenestration

•Transport nutrition to retina

 Histologically...

Bruch’s Membrane :
• Fusion of the basal lamina of RPE
and the choriocapillaris
• Highly permeable to small
molecule
• 5 layer :
1. Basal lamina of choriocapillaris
2. Outer colagenous zone
3. Porous band of elastic fibers
4. Inner collagenous zone
5. Basal lamina of RPE
 Function...

• Nourishes the outer layer of retina

• The tight junction between RPE cells barrier of

choroidal fluid into retina

• Pigment cells in choroid absorb excess light that

penetrates the retina  preventing reflection