VESSELS OF THE CONJUNCTIVA. 333 



367, d d'). As is the case with the anterior conjunct! val ves- 

 sels, the arterial ramifications are here accompanied by one or 

 two veins. They ultimately join the anterior conjunctival 

 vessels. The meshes of the capillary plexus are tolerably wide, 

 but become progressively finer towards the sinus palpebralis, 

 and attain their highest development in the small papilliform 

 elevations of the palpebral conjunctiva. 



The posterior conjunctival vessels, and the veins in particular, are 

 visible in the living eye of Man, forming small vessels capable of being 

 moved with the conjunctiva, and distinguishable from the anterior 

 ciliary arteries, not only by their course but by their brighter 

 colour and their smaller callibre ; the latter being of a more carmine 

 tint, and not moveable with the conjunctiva. The difference in colour 

 is due to the circumstance of the latter vessels being covered by the 

 cloudy whitish conjunctiva. The anterior conjunctival vessels, like 

 the anterior ciliary veins, are scarcely perceptible on account of their 

 minute size, but come distinctly into view on irritation of tne eye; 

 when they undergo remarkable dilatation. The injection of the 

 episcleral venous plexus produces a diffused bluish redness around the 

 margin of the cornea, which in pathological states indicates a condition 

 of irritation of the parts supplied by the ciliary vascular system ; that 

 is to say, of the uveal tract or of the cornea. 



