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Corneal Anatomy

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Corneal Regeneration

Part of the book series: Essentials in Ophthalmology ((ESSENTIALS))

Abstract

The cornea is a uniquely translucent, avascular tissue located on the anterior segment of the eye. It is surrounded and maintained by the adjacent corneoscleral limbus and the connective tissue of the conjunctiva with its adnexa. It plays a vital role in visual function by providing (1) the major refractive component of the visual system, (2) a translucent tissue that allows light passage to the lens and retina, and (3) a barrier that protects the eye from fluid loss and the external environment. These crucial functions result from the structure of the cornea, which is composed of three anatomical layers: epithelium, stroma, and endothelium. The limbus is the reservoir for the adult stem cell population that replenishes the cornea and is the site of termination of the vasculature and entry of the nerves that provide an extraordinarily rich innervation environment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Schepens Eye Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Miguel Gonzalez-Andrades, Pablo Argüeso & Ilene Gipson

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  1. Miguel Gonzalez-Andrades
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  2. Pablo Argüeso
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  3. Ilene Gipson
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Correspondence to Miguel Gonzalez-Andrades .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Miguel Hernández University , Alicante, Spain

    Jorge L. Alió

  2. Vissum-Instituto Oftalmologico de Alica, University Miguel Hernandez, Alicante, Alicante, Spain

    Jorge L. Alió del Barrio

  3. Vissum Corporation, Madrid, Spain

    Francisco Arnalich-Montiel

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Gonzalez-Andrades, M., Argüeso, P., Gipson, I. (2019). Corneal Anatomy. In: Alió, J., Alió del Barrio, J., Arnalich-Montiel, F. (eds) Corneal Regeneration . Essentials in Ophthalmology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01304-2_1

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