Corneal epithelium

Corneal epithelium
Vertical section of human cornea from near the margin. (Waldeyer.) Magnified. Epithelium Anterior elastic lamina substantia propria Posterior elastic lamina Endothelium of the anterior chamber Oblique fibers in the anterior layer of the substantia propria Lamellae, the fibers of which are cut across, producing a dotted appearance Corneal corpuscles appearing fusiform in section Lamellae, the fibers of which are cut longitudinally Transition to the sclera, with more distinct fibrillation, and surmounted by a thicker epithelium Small blood vessels cut across near the margin of the cornea
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

• Stratified squamous epithelium

Disorders

• Peripheral ulcerative keratitis
• Recurrent corneal erosion

External links

• Epithelium Ingrowth After LASIK

References

• v
• t
• e

Anatomy of the globe of the human eye

Fibrous tunic
(outer)

Sclera	Episcleral layer Schlemm's canal Trabecular meshwork
Cornea	Limbus layers Epithelium Bowman's Stroma Dua's layer Descemet's Endothelium

Uvea / vascular
tunic (middle)

Choroid	Capillary lamina of choroid Bruch's membrane Sattler's layer
Ciliary body	Ciliary processes Ciliary muscle Pars plicata Pars plana
Iris	Stroma Pupil Iris dilator muscle Iris sphincter muscle

Retina (inner)

Layers	Inner limiting membrane Nerve fiber layer Ganglion cell layer Inner plexiform layer Inner nuclear layer Outer plexiform layer Outer nuclear layer External limiting membrane Layer of rods and cones Retinal pigment epithelium
Cells	Photoreceptor cells (Cone cell, Rod cell) → (Horizontal cell) → Bipolar cell → (Amacrine cell) → Retina ganglion cell (Midget cell, Parasol cell, Bistratified cell, Giant retina ganglion cells, Photosensitive ganglion cell) → Diencephalon: P cell, M cell, K cell, Muller glia
Other	Macula Perifoveal area Parafoveal area Fovea Foveal avascular zone Foveola Optic disc Optic cup Ora serrata

Anatomical regions
of the eye

Anterior segment	Adnexa (Eyebrow, Eyelid, Conjunctiva, Lacrimal system, Orbit) Fibrous tunic Anterior chamber Aqueous humour Iris Posterior chamber Ciliary body Lens Capsule of lens Zonule of Zinn
Posterior segment	Vitreous chamber Vitreous body Retina Choroid

Other

• Keratocytes
• Ocular immune system
• Optical coherence tomography
• Eye care professional
• Eye disease
• Refractive error
• Accommodation
• Physiological Optics
• Visual perception