Periods of development of the normal human chamber angle.

Stages of fetal and postnatal development of the normal human chamber angle are reevaluated. Major growth phases can be detected: trabecular anlage formation (around the 15th week), differentiation into definitive structures (around the 24th week), specialisation of the definitive structures (around the 28th week), achievement of final components (birth) and final moulding of the chamber angle and the maturation of its cellular and extracellular constituents (1-8 years). A cleavage or gradual atrophy of chamber angle tissues could not be detected during any of the above phases, nor was a membrane found, which covered the chamber angle recess at any stage of development. In the light of the described periods, potential disturbances of development are discussed, which might be a cause of congenital glaucoma.