Zonule of Zinn
The zonule of Zinn is a ring of fibrous strands forming a zonule that connects the ciliary body with the crystalline lens of the eye. The Zonular fibers are viscoelastic cables, although their component microfibrils are stiff structures. These fibers are sometimes collectively referred to as the suspensory ligaments of the lens, as they act like suspensory ligaments.
Development
The non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cells of the eye synthesize portions of the zonules.Anatomy
The zonule of Zinn is split into two layers: a thin layer, which lies near the hyaloid fossa, and a thicker layer, which is a collection of zonular fibers. Together, the fibers are known as the suspensory ligament of the lens. The zonules are about 1–2 μm in diameter.The zonules attach to the lens capsule 2 mm anterior and 1 mm posterior to the equator, and arise of the ciliary epithelium from the pars plana region as well as from the valleys between the ciliary processes in the pars plicata.
When colour granules are displaced from the zonules of Zinn, the irises slowly fade. In some cases those colour granules clog the channels and lead to glaucoma pigmentosa.
The zonules are primarily made of fibrillin, a connective tissue protein. Mutations in the fibrillin gene lead to the condition Marfan syndrome, and consequences include an increased risk of lens dislocation.