Growth of the lens is initially intense. Together with the other internal structures of the eye, the lens is supplied with blood by the hyaloid artery. This is a branch of the ophthalmic artery, which reaches the eye through the ventral groove of the optic stalk and the retinal fissure. The hyaloid artery degenerates inside the eye during the fetal period. Its trunk is preserved as the central artery of the retina. A venous plexus arises in the angle between the iris and the cornea (iridocorneal angle), from which both the Schlemm's canal (sinus venosus sclerae) and the trabecular meshwork will develop. This takes place during months 7 and 8 of pregnancy.