The surface of the conjunctiva in domestic ruminants. A scanning electron microscopic investigation.
The surface of the conjunctiva was investigated in goats, sheep and bovines. The lid-facing surface of the nictitating membrane carries a serrated crest. At a low magnification the areas covered by a stratified squamous epithelium appear as a mosaic. In the superior and inferior conjunctival fornices the mucous membrane has a uniform appearance. Areas of goblet cells have an irregular appearance. Four functional stages can be observed in the goblet cells. At a high magnification the superficial cells of the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva are covered by microplicae. In the fornix conjunctival microvilli project over the superficial cells.
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D006041:Goats / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012756:Sheep / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D013499:Surface Properties