Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) Practice Exam

Where is the typical location of the tubercle, a lesion associated with tuberculosis?

1. Retina

2. Cornea

3. Choroid

4. Optic nerve

The correct answer is: Choroid

The tubercle, specifically in the context of tuberculosis affecting the eye, is typically found in the choroid. This is crucial to understand because the choroid is a vascular layer of the eye located between the retina and the sclera, making it an area where various systemic infections, including tuberculosis, can manifest as lesions. These tubercles are granulomatous lesions formed due to the body's immune response to the tuberculosis bacteria. In ocular tuberculosis, these lesions can cause complications in vision and are often related to the underlying systemic disease. The presence of tubercles in the choroid is indicative of the hematogenous spread of the infection, which is characteristic of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Understanding the typical locations of such lesions helps in diagnosing conditions and determining the appropriate management strategies in ophthalmology. Other structures like the retina, cornea, or optic nerve are less commonly associated with primary tuberculosis lesions, as they typically do not exhibit the granulomatous reaction seen in the choroid. Thus, recognizing the choroid as the typical site for these lesions is critical for both diagnosis and treatment of ocular tuberculosis.