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cornea (C, K)
The transparent structure forming the anterior 1/6 of the fibrous tunic of the eye.
It is continuous with the sclera which forms the remaining 5/6.
It has a radius of curvature of 7.7 mm
- contrast to the 13.5 mm radius of curvature of the sclera).
Function:
- it is the chief refractory structure of the eye.
- the cornea is positively charged relative to the retina.
Structure:
It consists of five layers:
1) the anterior corneal epithelium, continuous with that of the conjunctiva
2) the anterior limiting layer (Bowman's membrane)
3) the substantia propria
4) the posterior limiting layer
5) the endothelium of the anterior chamber, called the keratoderma, Descemet's membrane is endothelial basement membrane
Innervation:
- ophthalmic nerve (CN V1)
Related
arcus senilis
cornea specific keratin
corneal abrasion
corneal edema
corneal opacification
corneal reflex (eyelid reflex)
sclera
specular photographic microscopy of the corneal endothelium
General
eye structure
References
- Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th ed, Williams &
Wilkins, Baltimore, 1999
- Grant's Atlas of Anatomy, 10th edition, AMR Agur & MJ Lee (eds),
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, 1999
- National Eye Institute: Corneal conditions
http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/cornealdisease
Components
corneal endothelium
corneal limbus
Images
image related to cornea