View source for Descemet's membrane

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{{Infobox Anatomy |
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  Latin        = l. limitans posterior corneae |
  GraySubject  = 225 |
  GrayPage     = 1008 |
  Image        = Gray871.png |
  Caption      = Vertical section of human cornea from near the margin. (Waldeyer.) Magnified. <BR>1. [[Epithelium]]. <BR>2. [[Anterior elastic lamina]]. <BR>3. [[substantia propria]]. <BR>4. Posterior elastic lamina. <BR>5. [[Endothelium]] of the [[anterior chamber]]. <BR>a. Oblique fibers in the anterior layer of the [[substantia propria]]. <BR>b. Lamellæ the fibers of which are cut across, producing a dotted appearance. <BR>c. [[Corneal]] corpuscles appearing [[fusiform]] in section. <BR>d. Lamellæ the fibers of which are cut longitudinally. <BR>e. Transition to the [[sclera]], with more distinct fibrillation, and surmounted by a thicker [[epithelium]]. <BR>f. Small bloodvessels cut across near the margin of the [[cornea]]. |
  Image2       = |
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  MeshNumber   = |
  DorlandsPre  = l_02 |
  DorlandsSuf  = 12476281  |
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{{CMG}}



==Overview==
'''Descemet's membrane''' is the [[basement membrane]] that lies between the corneal proper substance, also called stroma, and the endothelial layer of the [[cornea]]. 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 cuboidal epithelial cells that compose the endothelial layer of the cornea.

Its thickness ranges from 3 μm at birth to 8-10 μm in adults. <ref>Johnson DH, Bourne WM, Campbell RJ: The ultrastructure of Descemet's membrane. I. Changes with age in normal cornea. Arch Ophthalmol 100:1942, 1982</ref>

It is also known as the '''Posterior limiting lamina''', '''posterior elastic lamina''', '''lamina elastica posterior''', and '''membrane of Demours'''. It was named after French physician Jean Descemet (1732-1810).

==See also==
* [[Kayser-Fleischer ring]]

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
* {{BUHistology|08002loa}}
* {{MeshName|Descemet+membrane}}
* [http://www.dryeyezone.com/encyclopedia/descemets.html Diagram at dryeyezone.com]

{{Eye}}

[[Category:Eye]]


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[[es:Membrana de Descemet]]