Peripapillary refers to tissue around which structure?

Peripapillary refers to tissue around which structure?

• A. Macula
• B. Fovea
• C. Lens
• D. Optic nerve head

Answer: (D)

Peripapillary means tissue surrounding the optic nerve head. The optic nerve head (or optic disc) is where retinal ganglion cell axons exit the eye to form the optic nerve. The area immediately around that disc—the peripapillary retina—contains the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), whose thickness is often measured by OCT to assess glaucoma and other optic neuropathies. The macula and fovea are central retina regions responsible for sharp central vision, and the lens is an anterior structure, so peripapillary does not refer to them.

Peripapillary means tissue surrounding the optic nerve head. The optic nerve head (or optic disc) is where retinal ganglion cell axons exit the eye to form the optic nerve. The area immediately around that disc—the peripapillary retina—contains the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), whose thickness is often measured by OCT to assess glaucoma and other optic neuropathies. The macula and fovea are central retina regions responsible for sharp central vision, and the lens is an anterior structure, so peripapillary does not refer to them.