
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Descemet's membrane
Introduction
Overview
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. [1]
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).
References
References
- ↑ Johnson DH, Bourne WM, Campbell RJ: The ultrastructure of Descemet’s membrane. I. Changes with age in normal cornea. Arch Ophthalmol 100:1942, 1982
External links
External links
- Histology image: 08002loa – Histology Learning System at Boston University
- Descemet+membrane at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
- Diagram at dryeyezone.com
Editor-In-Chief: Template:Infobox Anatomy C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
