Scanning electron microscopy of normal human corneal epithelium obtained by scraping-off in vivo.
The surface of normal human corneal epithelium was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The study was carried out on specimens obtained by scraping-off in vivo, and immediately fixed. Four different types of microprojections were observed on the epithelial surface: microridges, microvilli, tufted microvilli and knobs. Detailed high magnification of surface microprojections showed that they consist of subunits. Our data suggest a correlation between surface morphology and maturity of the corneal epithelial cell. An evolutive sequence is proposed, from the youngest cell, provided with microridges, to the oldest exfoliating one, with knobs.
D003315:Cornea / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods