Irido-corneal angle of mammalian eyes: comparative morphology of encapsulated corpuscles in odontocete cetaceans.

A study of the structure and distribution of encapsulated corpuscles (corpuscles of Rochon-Duvigneaud) in the irido-corneal (anterior chamber) angle in 42 adult eyes from nine species of odontocete cetaceans representing each of the five families in this group indicates a diversity of form and function. The corpuscles occur as signle features or multiple groupings with each species having a distinct pattern. No definite phylogenic or environmental patterns were seen although sometimes there were similarities among related genera. The neural structure of the angle suggests that these receptors probably respond to a variety of stimuli including intraocular pressure, vitreous displacements, external muscular force applied to the sclera and cornea, and changes in the volume of the massive iris/choroid vascular system.