Eye
Cornea
Limbus
Author: Nat Pernick, M.D.
Last author update: 1 October 2013
Last staff update: 24 December 2020
Copyright: 2004-2023, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Limbus [title] of cornea
Table of Contents
Definition / general | Trabecular meshwork | Schlemm canal | Electron microscopy descriptionCite 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
