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My question is regarding the biological nature of the separation between the vitreous humour and aqueous humour of the human (or mammal) eye. What connects the two in terms of the passive transport of proteins between the two? Is there a single membrane?

If so what is the name of this membrane and is it the only thing separating the aqueous from the vitreous? What is the anatomical difference between the aqueous and the vitreous?

Apologies, I am far from a biologist.

Specifically what sort of transport is arrow 9 in the figure below representing? And is backward transport (from the aqueous to the vitreous) possible?

Any links to papers detailing this mechanism would be highly appreciated, I can only find references to experimental readings of concentrations, but nothing about the transport process itself.

enter image description here

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  • $\begingroup$ I do apologise for that. However to me I don't really see the difference, the main body of my question asked about the transport of molecules, I merely drew more attention to that part of my question. I would say previously it was vaguely phrased, as, which I previously mentioned, this is not my field, I was attempting to make up for that, I'm sorry to have offended however. $\endgroup$
    – Freeman
    Commented Jul 16, 2015 at 13:52
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    $\begingroup$ Retracted comment - sorry! +1 had to make a slight edit before I could upvote again. Feel free to roll back :) $\endgroup$
    – AliceD ♦
    Commented Jul 16, 2015 at 13:53
  • $\begingroup$ You have changed the question, so my answer looks unrelated. I'd suggest roll question back and ask others in separate question. $\endgroup$
    – Ilan
    Commented Jul 16, 2015 at 16:06
  • $\begingroup$ @Ilan, will do. Here is a link: biology.stackexchange.com/questions/36140/… $\endgroup$
    – Freeman
    Commented Jul 16, 2015 at 17:07
  • $\begingroup$ @Ilan Well the question might have sounded different but the OP asks if there is any connection in the sense of exchange of matter between the two "humours". This doesn't require a different question. OP just clarified their actual intention. You can edit your answer to add if there is any material exchange between them or not. Your answer is still fine. $\endgroup$
    – WYSIWYG
    Commented Jul 16, 2015 at 17:15

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Don't be confused by the word "humour": the vitreous body is presented in birth and has very low "exchange" rate of its components, while aqueous is in constant turnover.

Secondly, the vitreous is an organ-like structure and is separated from other eye structures by its membrane, while aqueous is fluid produced by ciliary body processes into the posterior chamber and moves anteriorly throughout the pupil. Aqueous can move posteriorly in a case of trauma, operations and other non-physiologic states.

ADD (after attachment of the image)

I'd correct some things in the scheme - call Vitreous as Vitreous, not Vitreous humour, change arrow pointing at the ciliary body as on the following image, depict the vitreous body membrane as I did.

enter image description here

In addition learn two terms: Cloquet canal and Berger's space.

Number 9 shows a vitreo-aqueous route which will follow blood, drugs injected to the vitreous (not an only route), etc.

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  • $\begingroup$ Thank you for your answer, so are you saying that as soon as a component has managed to pass through the vitreous membrane it is quickly removed by the aqueous? Would you mind looking at this diagram in my edit? I don't understand arrow 9, what sort of transport does this represent? $\endgroup$
    – Freeman
    Commented Jul 16, 2015 at 13:11
  • $\begingroup$ This is very helpful. Thank you very much for adding details. $\endgroup$
    – Freeman
    Commented Jul 16, 2015 at 18:10
  • $\begingroup$ Since 2015, have you been able to answer your question "Specifically what sort of transport is arrow 9 in the figure below representing?" $\endgroup$
    – Peter Bernhard
    Commented Nov 13, 2023 at 12:34
  • $\begingroup$ @PeterBernhard 9 had to show drainage pass to the anterior chamber angler (number-arrow 4) $\endgroup$
    – Ilan
    Commented Mar 16 at 15:47
  • $\begingroup$ @Ian Thank you! Surely, you mean "chamber angle". I can now do my own research on this. Vitreous detachment is very common, fluid may be seen as leaving the vitreous body, maybe because the secretion of anterior - "tears" - fluid is insufficient. My own hypothesis, btw, now is that anterior fluid substituted, in eveolution, the water-part of the vitreous body (said to become more watery before vitreous detachment). Cheers! $\endgroup$
    – Peter Bernhard
    Commented Sep 20 at 7:46

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