Page 918 - Atlas of Histology with Functional Correlations

FIGURE 22.4 ■ Lacrimal gland. Stain: hematoxylin and eosin. Medium
magnification.

FIGURE 22.5 | Cornea (Transverse Section)

The cornea is a thick, transparent, nonvascular structure of the eye. The anterior
surface is covered with a stratified squamous corneal epithelium (1) that is
nonkeratinized with five or more cell layers. The basal cell layer is columnar and

rests on a thin basement membrane supported by a thick, homogeneous anterior
limiting (Bowman) membrane (4). The underlying corneal stroma
(substantia propria) (2) forms the body of the cornea. It consists of parallel
bundles of collagen fibers (5) and layers of flat fibroblasts (6).

The posterior limiting (Descemet) membrane (7) is also a thick basement

membrane that is located at the posterior portion of the corneal stroma (2). The
posterior surface of the cornea that faces the anterior chamber of the eye is
covered with a simple squamous epithelium called the posterior epithelium (3),

which is also the corneal endothelium. These cells are in direct contact with the
aqueous humor of the anterior chamber of the eye.

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