| Corneal epithelium | |
|---|---|
 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 | |
Thecorneal epithelium (epithelium corneae anterior layer) is made up of epithelial tissue and covers the front of thecornea. It acts as a barrier to protect the cornea, resisting the free flow of fluids from the tears, and preventsbacteria from entering the epithelium and corneal stroma.
The corneal epithelium consists of several layers of cells. The cells of the deepest layer arecolumnar, known as basal cells which are attached by multiprotein complexes known ashemidesmosomes to an underlying basement membrane.[1] Then follow two or three layers of polyhedral cells, commonly known as wing cells. The majority of these areprickle cells, similar to those found in thestratum mucosum of the cuticle. Lastly, there are three or four layers ofsquamous cells, with flattenednuclei. The layers of the epithelium are constantly undergoingmitosis. 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]
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 inPRK or other non-flap vision correction procedures.
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