Descemet's membrane

Descemet's membrane
Vertical section of human cornea from near the margin. (Waldeyer.) Magnified.
  1. Epithelium
  2. Anterior elastic lamina
  3. substantia propria
  4. Posterior elastic lamina.
    (Descemet's membrane)
  5. Endothelium of the anterior chamber
  1. Oblique fibers in the anterior layer of the substantia propria
  2. Lamellae, the fibers of which are cut across, producing a dotted appearance
  3. Corneal corpuscles appearing fusiform in section
  4. Lamellae, the fibers of which are cut longitudinally
  5. Transition to the sclera, with more distinct fibrillation, and surmounted by a thicker epithelium
  6. Small blood vessels cut across near the margin of the cornea
Details
PronunciationEnglish: /ˈdɛsəm/
LocationCornea of eye
Identifiers
Latinl. limitans posterior corneae
MeSHD003886
TA98A15.2.02.021
FMA58309
Anatomical terms of microanatomy

Descemet's membrane (or the Descemet membrane) is the basement membrane that lies between the corneal proper substance, also called stroma, and the endothelial layer of the cornea. It is composed of different kinds of collagen (Type IV and VIII)[1] than the stroma. The endothelial layer is located at the posterior of the cornea. Descemet's membrane, as the basement membrane for the endothelial layer, is secreted by the single layer of squamous epithelial cells that compose the endothelial layer of the cornea.

  1. ^ "Tissue Distribution of Type VIII Collagen in Human Adult and Fetal Eyes" (PDF). Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. 1991-08-01. Retrieved 2014-08-17.