Eye

Cornea

Limbus



Last author update: 1 October 2013
Last staff update: 24 December 2020

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PubMed Search: Limbus [title] of cornea

Nat Pernick, M.D.
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Cite this page: Pernick N. Limbus. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/eyecornealimbusgeneral.html. Accessed October 4th, 2023.
Definition / general
  • Junction of peripheral cornea and anterior sclera, 1.5 to 2.0 mm wide
  • Not a distinct anatomic site but a significant clinical landmark
  • Composed of conjunctiva (epithelium and stroma), cornea and scleral stroma, episclera, Tenon capsule (fibrous tissue that covers the globe)
  • Descemet membrane terminates at limbus and gives rise to Schwalbe ring
  • 15% have prominent area of thickening at this site
  • Contains trabecular meshwork and Schlemm canal
  • Site of incisions for surgery on anterior eye
  • Restricts deeper extension of superficial tumors
Trabecular meshwork
  • With Schlemm canal, are apparatus for removal of aqueous from eye
  • Collection of finely branching and delicately pigmented connective tissue bands
  • Lining cells are continuous with corneal endothelium
  • Posteriorly, trabecular meshwork extends to scleral connective tissue called scleral spur
Schlemm canal
  • Anterior and superficial to trabecular meshwork
  • Endothelial lined venous canal that completely encircles limbus
  • Separated from trabecular meshwork by thin connective tissue and separate endothelial linings
Electron microscopy description
  • Schlemm canal endothelial cells contain giant cytoplasmic vacuoles
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