corneal endothelium

endothelium

pl. endothelia [Gr.] the layer of epithelial cells that lines the cavities of the heart and of the blood and lymph vessels, sometimes applied to other internal epithelial surfaces.

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corneal endothelium

lines the inner surface of the cornea, between the corneal stroma and aqueous humor; called also the posterior epithelium.

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corneal endothelium 

The posterior layer of the cornea consisting of a single layer of cells, about 5 μm thick, bound together and predominantly hexagonal in shape. The posterior border is in direct contact with the aqueous humour while the anterior border is in contact with Descemet's membrane. The endothelium is the structure responsible for the relative dehydration of the corneal stroma. The endothelium receives most of its energy from the oxidative breakdown of carbohydrates via the Krebs cycle. In the normal adult eye the cell density varies from around 3000 cells/mm² in the centre of the cornea to about 2000 cells/mm² in the periphery. With age, disease or trauma the density of cells decreases but with disease or trauma this reduction may affect corneal transparency, as some fluid then leaks into the cornea. See endothelial bedewing; endothelial blebs; cornea guttata; specular reflection illumination; specular microscope; phacoemulsification; endothelial polymegethism.