Aqueous Humor Production and Drainage
• Provides nutrition, removes wastes, and transports neurotransmitters to the avascular lens and cornea.
• Circulates inflammatory cells to avascular structures
• Maintains structural integrity of ocular structures via intraocular pressure (10-21 mmHg)
AH leaves the anterior chamber via two pathways located near the limbus:
• Trabecular Meshwork Pathway (~60-80 % of flow) -> AH passes through the TM layers: Uveal, corneoscleral, and juxtacanalicular -> Flows into Schlemm's Canal -> Flows through internal outflow channels into the external outflow channels, aqueous veins, intrascleral venous plexus, and the deep scleral venous plexus -> Drains into the episcleral and conjunctival veins -> Drains back into systemic venous circulation
• Uveoscleral Pathway (~20-40 % of flow) -> AH enters uveal meshwork and anterior ciliary body -> Flows in suprachoroidal space -> Passes outward through the sclera -> Enters the scleral, and conjunctival veins -> Drains back into systemic venous circulation
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