What is a persistent hyaloid artery?

What is a persistent hyaloid artery?

• A. A congenital vascular remnant that persists from the optic disc to the posterior lens
• B. A normal artery in healthy adults
• C. An artery forming iris vasculature
• D. A vascular tumor of the retina

Answer: (A)

The main concept is the fetal hyaloid vascular system and its incomplete regression after birth. In development, a hyaloid artery travels from the optic disc to the posterior lens to nourish the developing lens. Normally this artery and its vessels regress completely before birth, leaving only Cloquet’s canal. When regression fails, a persistent hyaloid artery remains as a congenital vascular remnant that stretches from the optic disc toward the posterior lens. This is exactly what the correct option describes. It’s not a normal artery in healthy adults, it isn’t responsible for iris vasculature, and it isn’t a retinal tumor.

The main concept is the fetal hyaloid vascular system and its incomplete regression after birth. In development, a hyaloid artery travels from the optic disc to the posterior lens to nourish the developing lens. Normally this artery and its vessels regress completely before birth, leaving only Cloquet’s canal. When regression fails, a persistent hyaloid artery remains as a congenital vascular remnant that stretches from the optic disc toward the posterior lens. This is exactly what the correct option describes. It’s not a normal artery in healthy adults, it isn’t responsible for iris vasculature, and it isn’t a retinal tumor.