14 -Optic Nerve Head Questions

This set of flashcards is designed to help review key concepts regarding the optic nerve head, its anatomy, characteristics, and associated conditions based on the lecture notes provided.

What are the four parts of the optic nerve head?

All of the above

Which of the following is not a characteristic of the surface nerve fiber layer?

Fenestrated sheets of scleral connective tissue

What is a characteristic of the prelaminar region?

It is the anterior portion of the lamina cribrosa.

What are the predominant structures of the prelaminar region?

Nerve axons and astrocytes with significant increase in astroglia tissue.

Which of the following is not a characteristic of the lamina cribrosa region?

Anterior portion of lamina cribrosa

Which characteristic is not associated with the retrolaminar region?

Astrocytes separate the sheets and line the holes

What is the arterial supply to the optic nerve?

The short posterior ciliary artery – it is the main supply to the optic nerve.

Which layer is not supplied by the short posterior ciliary artery but by retinal circulation instead?

NFL (nerve fiber layer).

What are the characteristic features of retinal capillaries?

All of the above

Name the porous and specialized region of sclera

All of the above

What leads to the decrease of hyaluronate around the lamina cribrosa?

Age and decreased IOP.

What are the distinguishing features of healthy lamina cribrosa pores?

Round in eyes with physiological cupping.

What describes glaucomatous pores?

Compressed/distorted pores because of constant pressure.

Which of the following is not an influence of age on optic nerve head size?

Selective loss of fibers with age is defined and confirmed.

Is the connective tissue fully developed in young children?

No, the connective tissue of the lamina cribrosa is incompletely developed in young children.

What concerns are associated with not fully developed connective tissue in young children?

Greater susceptibility to damage & potential for reversible cupping.

What allows for the reversal of cupping of the optic nerve head?

A decrease in IOP due to incomplete development of connective tissue in young children.

What changes support the mechanical theory of damage in glaucoma?

Patients with increased IOP and optic nerve head damage have INTACT major blood vessels still

What may be observed during an examination of the optic nerve with glaucoma and increased IOP?

All of the above

What are vascular concepts of glaucomatous damage?

Ischemia plays a role in the obstruction of axoplasmic flow in response to elevated IOP.

What is perfusion pressure?

The difference between arterial and venous pressure.

Name some vasodilator chemical mediators.

Nitric oxide.

Name a vasoconstrictor chemical mediator.

Endothelin-1.