title: Anatomy and physiology of the cornea.
abstract: The importance of the cornea to the ocular structure and visual system is often overlooked because of the cornea's unassuming transparent nature. The cornea lacks the neurobiological sophistication of the retina and the dynamic movement of the lens; yet, without its clarity, the eye would not be able to perform its necessary functions. The complexity of structure and function necessary to maintain such elegant simplicity is the wonder that draws us to one of the most important components of our visual system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Eye Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Derek W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: DelMonte
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D050541:Bowman Membrane / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D003315:Cornea / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D003886:Descemet Membrane / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009882:Ophthalmic Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000033:anatomy & histology