Figure 8.

Growth cone-like structures of new FCs migrating along the EFI. The SEM images in this figure were taken from a (a,b) rabbit and (c,d) a human lens. In lateral views (a,b), cohorts of FCs are seen growing along the EFI towards the anterior lens pole (Ant). En face observations (c,d) show cohorts of FCs growing together along the EFI. The high magnification SEM micrograph of (d) also shows that the epithelial lining of the EFI has a texture different from that of the FC apical membranes. Moreover, this micrograph shows the presence of numerous ball-and-socket joints at the apices of the shorter FC plasma membranes, which differ morphologically from the interdigitating protrusions along the edges of the FCs. Note also the protrusions (arrowheads) at the very ends of the FCs. Ep, epithelium; Ca, capsule; EFI, epithelial–fibre interface.