Corneal epithelium
Corneal epithelium | |
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![]() Vertical section of human cornea from near the margin. (Waldeyer.) Magnified.
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Details | |
Identifiers | |
Latin | Epithelium anterius corneae |
MeSH | D019573 |
TA98 | A15.2.02.018 |
FMA | 58263 |
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata] |
The corneal epithelium (epithelium corneae anterior layer) is made up of epithelial tissue and covers the front of the cornea. It acts as a barrier to protect the cornea, resisting the free flow of fluids from the tears, and prevents bacteria from entering the epithelium and corneal stroma.
Anatomy
The corneal epithelium consists of several layers of cells. The cells of the deepest layer are columnar, known as basal cells which are attached by multiprotein complexes known as hemidesmosomes to an underlying basement membrane.[1] Then follow two or three layers of polyhedral cells, commonly known as wing cells. The majority of these are prickle cells, similar to those found in the stratum mucosum of the cuticle. Lastly, there are three or four layers of squamous cells, with flattened nuclei. The layers of the epithelium are constantly undergoing mitosis. Basal and wing cells migrate to the anterior of the cornea, while squamous cells age and slough off into the tear film.
Central thickness of corneal epithelial layer is approximately 50 to 52 μm.[2]
Cornea cell LASIK complication
Epithelial ingrowth is a LASIK complication in which cells from the cornea surface layer (epithelial cells) begin to grow underneath the corneal flap. This complication is not present in PRK or other non-flap vision correction procedures.
See also
Disorders
External links
- Epithelium Ingrowth After LASIK
References
- ^ John F, Salmon. "Eyelids". Kanski's Clinical ophthalmology (9 ed.). Elsevier. p. 204.
- ^ Reinstein, Dan Z.; Archer, Timothy J.; Gobbe, Marine; Silverman, Ronald H.; Coleman, D. Jackson (2008). "Epithelial Thickness in the Normal Cornea: Three-dimensional Display With Very High Frequency Ultrasound". Journal of Refractive Surgery. 24 (6): 571–581. doi:10.3928/1081597X-20080601-05. ISSN 1081-597X. PMC 2592549. PMID 18581782.
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(outer)
Sclera | |
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Cornea |
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![1:posterior segment 2:ora serrata 3:ciliary muscle 4:ciliary zonules 5:Schlemm's canal 6:pupil 7:anterior chamber 8:cornea 9:iris 10:lens cortex 11:lens nucleus 12:ciliary process 13:conjunctiva 14:inferior oblique muscule 15:inferior rectus muscule 16:medial rectus muscle 17:retinal arteries and veins 18:optic disc 19:dura mater 20:central retinal artery 21:central retinal vein 22:optic nerve 23:vorticose vein 24:bulbar sheath 25:macula 26:fovea 27:sclera 28:choroid 29:superior rectus muscle 30:retina](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e8/Eye-diagram_no_circles_border.svg/200px-Eye-diagram_no_circles_border.svg.png)
tunic (middle)
Choroid | |
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Ciliary body | |
Iris |
Layers | |
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Cells |
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Other |
of the eye
Anterior segment | |
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Posterior segment |
- Keratocytes
- Ocular immune system
- Optical coherence tomography
- Eye care professional
- Eye disease
- Refractive error
- Accommodation
- Physiological Optics
- Visual perception