Single-Layered Squamous Epithelium-Posterior Epithelium of the Cornea

The surface epithelium is a continuous layer of cells without vessels. Separated by a basal membrane, it is located on top of connective tissue. The apical border is either an inside or an outside body surface. The single-layered squamous epithelium 1 of the cornea, the posterior corneal epithelium ( “corneal endothelium” ), covers the surface of the cornea opposite to the anterior chamber of the eye. It is a typical single-layered squamous epithelium. A vertical section shows the flat cell profiles. This figure also allows a view of the spindle-shape d nuclei in the flat epithelial cells. Underneath the epithelium is the lamina limitans posterior, Descemet’s membrane 2 . This is the thick basal lamina between the flat epithelium and the substantia propria corneae. It is thought to arise from the corneal epithelium. Next to it follows the wide layer of the substantia propria corneae 3. The light spaces are technical embedding artifacts.

 1 Single-layered squamous epithelium, endothelium

2 Descemet’s membrane

3 Proper cornea substance

4 F ibrocytes (“cornea cells”)

Stain: hematoxylin-eosin; magnification: × 400

View of the posterior epithelium of the cornea at the border to the anterior chamber. The cells are arranged evenly in a polygonal pattern. The cell regions containing the nuclei slightly protrude forward. The surfaces of the layer of flat cells are pre dominantly smooth. There are no microvilli. The ridged lines are the cell borders where the slender processes of neighboring cells tightly connect and are joined via macula adherentes  (desmosomes).

Scanning electron microscopy; magnification: × 800

References

Kuehnel, W.(2003). Color Atlas of Cytology, Histology, and Microscopic Anatomy. 4^th edition . Institute of Anatomy Universitätzu Luebeck Luebeck, Germany . Thieme Stuttgar t · New York .