Hyaloid Membrane
The hyaloid membrane is a transparent membrane that encloses the vitreous humour, separating it from the retina.
In front of the ora serrata, which is the area in which the retina terminates as a jagged margin towards the front of the eyeball as it approaches the ciliary body, the hyaloid membrane is thickened by radial fibres and is called the Zonule of Zinn (also known as the zonula ciliaris).
See the diagram showing the location of the hyaloid membrane, below-left below.
N.B. The distance between the ora serrata and ciliary body is exaggerated on this diagram. The approx. position of the Hyaloid Membrane at the position at which it becomes the Zonules is shown as a dotted line.
More about Ophthalmology:
This section includes short definitions and descriptions of the parts of the eye.
For other descriptions in this category, choose from the list
to the left (but note that this is not a complete / exhaustive list).
Other related sections include:
- A labelled diagram of the eye
- A concise description of the human retina with brief descriptions of the parts of the retina
- Diseases and disorders of the human eye and the human visual system
- Clinical and surgical procedures re. eyes and human visual system
For further information see also our pages of books about ophthalmology.
