The corneal epithelium (epithelium corneæ 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.
Then follow two or three layers of polyhedral cells, commonly known as wing cells. The majority of these are
prickle cell
Spinous cells, or prickle cells, are keratin producing Epidermis (skin), epidermal cells owing their prickly appearance to their numerous intracellular connections. They make up the Stratum spinosum, stratum spinosum (prickly layer) of the epiderm ...
s, similar to those found in the
stratum mucosum
The Malpighian layer (''stratum mucosum'' or ''stratum malpighii'') of the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin, is generally defined as both the stratum basale (basal layer) and the thicker stratum spinosum (spinous layer/prickle cell layer ...
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
In cell biology, mitosis () is a part of the cell cycle in which replicated chromosomes are separated into two new nuclei. Cell division by mitosis gives rise to genetically identical cells in which the total number of chromosomes is mainta ...
. 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.
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
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Stratified squamous epithelium
A stratified squamous epithelium consists of squamous (flattened) epithelial cells arranged in layers upon a basal membrane. Only one layer is in contact with the basement membrane; the other layers adhere to one another to maintain structural i ...
Disorders
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Peripheral ulcerative keratitis
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Recurrent corneal erosion
Recurrent corneal erosion is a disorder of the eyes characterized by the failure of the cornea's outermost layer of epithelial cells to attach to the underlying basement membrane (Bowman's layer). The condition is excruciatingly painful because t ...
External links
Epithelium Ingrowth After LASIK
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Corneal Epithelium
Human eye anatomy