The choroid is the middle layer of tissue in the wall of the eye. It’s found between the sclera (the whites of the eyes) and the retina (the light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye).
The thickness of the choroid varies depending on what part of the eye it’s lining. For example, it’s the thickest in the back of the eye (approximately 0.2 mm) and narrows to approximately 0.1mm as it gets to the peripheral part of the eyeball. There are four different layers of the choroid:
Choroid plexus papilloma – Rare, benign brain tumor that develops in the choroid plexus (tissue that makes cerebrospinal fluid).
Hemorrhagic choroidal detachment – A “ hemorrhagic choroidal detachment ” occurs when blood fills the space between the sclera and choroid, such as when a blood vessel bursts. It is associated with high pressure in the eyes and can occur during surgery. It is usually more painful than a serous detachment.
Choroidal rupture – A tear in the choroid, Bruch’s membrane and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) that result from an eye injury. Choroid plexus papilloma – Rare, benign brain tumor that develops in the choroid plexus (tissue that makes cerebrospinal fluid).
Choroidal detachment and hemorrhage – Separation of the choroid from the sclera; this may happen as a result of low eye pressure (serous choroidopathy, which is fluid-filled) or high eye pressure (hemorrhagic choroidopathy, which is blood-filled).
Chorioretinitis – Inflammation of the choroid caused by infection or an autoimmune disease. Choroideremia – A hereditary, progressive deterioration of the choroid; this condition primarily affects men.
Tests. The choroid plexus is a thin structure that lines most of the the ventricles of the brain. It is a protective barrier that produces cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a fluid that provides nourishment and cushioning for the brain and spinal cord. 1 . Cysts or tumors can form in the choroid plexus, and the cysts are not usually as dangerous as ...
The pia mater and the choroid plexus are directly adherent to the brain tissue, while there is a small space between the brain and the other layers of the meninges (dura mater and arachnoid mater). The pia mater covers the whole CNS, but the choroid plexus is only present in some of the regions of the pia mater.
5 And a number of neurological conditions affect and are impacted by the choroid plexus and/or CSF flow. 1
Blood-CSF barrier: The blood-CSF barrier, which is created by the choroid plexus and the meninges, helps protect the brain from infectious organisms and helps maintain control of the nourishment and waste in and out of the brain. 2 The permeability of this structure affects the ability of medications, drugs, and other substances to enter the brain.
Anatomical Variations. Variations in the function or structure of the choroid plexus can be associated with cysts and other congenital (from birth) malformations. 3 If they block CSF flow, choroid plexus cysts can lead to hydrocephalus and other brain malformations.
The choroid plexus-produced CSF flows around the surface of the whole CNS.
There may be an increased incidence of choroid plexus cysts among newborns who have other birth defects. The cysts can often be detected before birth with a fetal ultrasound. 4
Choroid forms a vital structure of the eye which could be included in several pathologies. It is of immense significance provided its functions such as thermoregulation, vascularization and even in the production of the growth factors. Choroid, histologically, exhibits 5 layers – outer pigment layer, suprachoroid; two Vascular layers, Haller (external) and Sattler (internal), choriocapillaris layer and the Bruch’s membrane.
The choroid structure exhibits two faces – the internal is concave and accommodates the retina with no adherence while the external is convex, solidarized with sclera through the ciliary nerves, vessels and the lax connective tissue. The choroid comprises 2 openings – as a demarcation, an anterior one with ora serrata and the other as a posterior one which passes through the optic nerve.
Chorioretinitis – it is the inflammation of the choroid which is as a result of an autoimmune disease or an infection
The choroidal circulation is said to be responsible for about 85% of the blood flow in the eye, thus making it an important structure to the function of eyes. Some other functions are –
Bruch’s membrane – it forms the choroid’s innermost layer. This transparent layer imparts a homogeneous appearance indicated by an endothelial basement membrane from the choriocapillaris layer of the capillaries
Choroidal rupture: the retinal pigment epithelium and Bruch’s membrane which lead to an eye injury, tear in the choroid
The cerebral aqueduct is void of choroid plexus. The choroid plexus is located in the posterior medullary velum which partially forms the roof of the fourth ventricle.
Signs of choroid plexus development of the fourth ventricle are evident around the 6th or 7th week of gestation , with the choroid plexus of the lateral ventricles developing at the same time, or shortly after in week 7. The choroid plexus of the third ventricle generally begins to develop a bit later in week 8.
A solid mass, with some calcifications, is generally evident on imaging. The most common treatment for choroid plexus papilloma is complete surgical excision.
a fourth ventricle. These ventricles are lined by a specialized type of glial cell called ependymal cells, or the ependyma. The choroid plexus is formed by these vascularized invaginations, bordered by the ependyma.
This condition is most commonly seen in the lateral ventricle of children, with over 85% of cases occurring in children under the age of 5. Tumors can also develop in adulthood, however, they are most likely to develop in the fourth ventricle at this point.
The choroid plexus of the lateral ventricles are supplied by the anterior choroidal arteries (branch of internal carotid artery) and the lateral posterior choroidal arteries (branch of the posterior cerebral artery ). Anterior choroidal artery (caudal view)
The choroid plexus receives sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation. Sympathetic fibers from the superior cervical ganglion control blood flow to the choroid plexus, while parasympathetic fibers reduce CSF production.