Hyaloid canal

The Hyaloid Canal, also known as Cloquet's Canal or Stilling's Canal, is a small, narrow passage in the vitreous humor of the eye. It is a remnant of the fetal circulatory system and extends from the optic disc to the posterior surface of the lens.

Etymology

The term "hyaloid" is derived from the Greek words "hyalos", meaning glass, and "eidos", meaning form or shape. This is in reference to the transparent nature of the vitreous humor where the canal is located. The canal is also named after Jules Germain Cloquet, a French anatomist, and Benjamin Stilling, a German anatomist, who both made significant contributions to the understanding of this structure.

Structure and Function

The Hyaloid Canal is a slender, thread-like structure that runs through the center of the vitreous body, a clear gel that fills the space between the lens and the retina in the eye. It is a remnant of the hyaloid artery, which supplies blood to the developing lens in the fetus. After birth, the hyaloid artery regresses and typically disappears, but the empty canal often remains.

Clinical Significance

In some cases, remnants of the hyaloid artery can persist after birth, a condition known as Persistent Hyaloid Artery. This can lead to various ocular complications, including cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal detachment.

Related Terms

• Vitreous Humor: The clear gel that fills the space between the lens and the retina in the eye.
• Optic Disc: The point of exit for ganglion cell axons leaving the eye.
• Lens (anatomy): The transparent biconvex structure in the eye that, along with the cornea, helps to refract light to be focused on the retina.
• Retina: The innermost, light-sensitive layer of tissue of the eye.

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  Schematic diagram of the human eye