Conjunctiva Flashcards
Conjunctiva
thin, vascularized mucous membrane that lines eyelids
major mucous producer = goblet cells in epithelial layer
reflected at fornices onto anterior surface of eyeball
conjunctival sac - forms potential space
Parts of conjunctiva
fornix with redundant conjunctiva
bulbar
palpebral
conjunctival sac
cul de sac
Conj vs. potential combating infection
highly vascular
cell types for initating and participating in defensive inflammatory rxn
surface has microvilli and enzymes to engulf and neutralize foreign particles
conjunctiva epithelium
stratified squamous non-kertinizing epithelium
more stratified columnar/cuboidal in tarsal, fornix and bulbar epithelium
2-15 cell layers thick: basal, intermediate, and superficial cell layers
-rests on substantia propria (stroma)
- rests on basement membrane, attached by hemi-desmosomes
- epithelial cells connected to one another by desmosomes (attached to intermediate filaments of keratin)
cell types in epithelium
microvilli coatced with mucopolysaccarhides
goblet cells (mucous secreting)
melanocytes- protective, absorb UV
langerhan cells
intraepithelial lymphocytes
many polymorphonuclear leukocytes found in inflammatory conditions
langerhan cells
similar in morphology to macrophages
functino: take up and process microbial antigents
present in suprabasal portion of conjunctival epithelium at limbus
melanocytes
scattered in basal layer of limbal and bulbar epithelial
may play protective role for stem cells against UV exposure
goblet cells
large cells 25 u x 25 u
mucin granules within cytoplasm of goblet cells => released by apocrine secretion
production of mucus
stabilizes tear film
palpebral (tarsal) conjunctival epithelium
5-6 layers thick
palpebral conj epithelium more cuboidal
numerous and prominent microvilli on free surface of palpebral conj
cells with long microvilli line deep crypts that extend into epithelium
substantia propia (stroma)
connective tissue layer beneath epithelium with great anti-infectious capability
cell types: mast cells (histamine), lymphocytes, plasma cells and neutrophils
layers of conjunctiva
epithelium, substantia propria => adenoid layer (lymphoid layer = lymph) and fibrous layer (blood supply and innervation)
Substantia propria layers
2 layers:
superficial lymphoid layer (not present at birth => develops few months post-natally)
-most developed in fornices
deeper fibrous layer: collagenous and elastic tissue, blood vessels, nerves, glands of Krause, and larger lymph vessels
pinguecula
localized, elevated, yellowish-white excresence noted medially and laterally close to limbal margin (localized at palpebral opening usually 3 or 9 position)
represent age-related elastotic degeneration including collagen breakdown of the stroma
initial event: limbal stem cell damage by uv exposure causing fibroblasts producing elasting fibers twisted and degradation of collagen fibers (usually medial and later more exposed to UV)
underlying sclera acts w/ high reflectivity to furth back expose the tissue to UV (Sclera reflects uv to conj => more damage)
pterygium
basophilic degeneration of bulbar conjunctival stroma
histopathology: same as piguecular but with corneal involvment; elastotic degeneration of collagen and fibrovascular proliferation (limbal stem cells affected in pterygium => more visual consequences)
usually damage to limbal stem cells by prolonged UV exposure initial event to cause pterygium
other factors affecting: UV, wind, sand
3 regions of conjunctiva
palpebral conjunctiva (eyelids)
conjunctival fornices (redoubled fold of conjunctiva)
bulbar conjunctiva (eyeball)
palpebral conjunctiva
lines inner surfaces of eyelids; tightly bound to tarsal plate
-subepithelial substantia propria = thin
lacrimal puncta opens on palpebral conjunctiva
lining of palpebral conj continous with lining of inferior meatus of nasal cavity
punctal opening and lining is continous with lining of canaliculi, lacrimal sac, and nasolacrimal duct
dacryocystitis: infection in lacrimal sac
zones of palpebral conjunctiva (3)
marginal zone: margin of lid; transition between skin of eyelid and conj. epithelium
-puncta opens on this zone
tarsal zone: thin, transparent, tarsal glands beneath; very vascular (meibonian glands within tarsal zone)
orbital zone: between upper border of tarsus and fornix
subtarsal sulcus (in palpebral conjunctiva)
2mm from lid margin; important in trapping and removing foreign particles and debris
in marginal zone
palpebral conj represents area for pathologic changes related to infectious and inflammatory processes or allergic