What is holangiotic retinal vasculature?

• A. vessels are throughout the fundus
• B. vessels are limited to the optic nerve head
• C. blood vessels are not present in the retina
• D. only found in primates

Answer: (A)

Holangiotic retinal vasculature means the retinal vessels extend across the entire fundus, reaching the peripheral retina near the ora serrata. You can see arteries and veins throughout all quadrants on exam. This differs from patterns where vessels are restricted to the optic nerve head (a limited vascular zone) or where no retinal vessels are present at all (anangiotic). The holangiotic pattern is found in many species, not just primates. The key point is that the blood supply covers the whole retina, not just a central area.