CONJUNCTIVA

The conjunctiva is a thin transparent mucus

membrane linning the inner surface of :
 Eyelids
 Anterior surface of sclera
COMPOSITION:
 Contains specialized folds or bumps called plica
semilunaries(contains :
 Goblets cells
 Caruncle
 Hairs
 Sebaceous gland
 CONJUNCTIVA CONT
It’s epithelium is continous with that of the:
 Cornea
 Lacrimal drainage system through the puncta
Anatomy of the conjunctiva
 CONJUNCTIVA CONT’D

Conjunctival epithelium contains:

 2-4 layers @ upper tarsaal plate plate
 6-8 layers @ corneoscleral junction
 8-10 layers@ conjuctival margins

The basal cells are cuboidal and evolve into

flattened polyhedral cell as they reach the surface.

With chronic exposure and drying the epithelium

may become keratinized.
 CONJUNCTIVA CONT’D
 STROMA (SUBSTANTIA PROPIA)
 Consists of richly vascularized connective tissue which is
separate from the epithelium by a basement membrane.
o The adenoid superficial layer does not develop lymphoid
tissue until 3/12 after birth, hence the inability of the
newborn to produce follicular conjunctival rxn.
 The deep fibrous layer is continous with the:

 Tarsal plates
 Belong to the sub-conjunctiva tissue rather than the
conjunctiva
 CONJUNCTIVA CONT’D
Contain:
Anti – infective potential
Numerous mast cells – (600/mm3)
lymphocytes, plasma cell and Neutrophils.
The accessory lacrimal glands are located within the
stroma
CONJUNCTIVA CONT’D
 CONJUNCTIVA CONT’D
The mucin secretors are of the ff types:
1. The goblets cells which are located within the
epithelium and most dense infero-nasally.

2. The crypts of Henle which are located along the

upper third of superior tarsal conjunctiva and
along the lower third of the inferior conjunctiva.

3. The glands of Manz which encircle the limbus

 Conjunctiva cont’d
 Destructive disorder of the conjunctiva such
as cicatrical pemphigoid frequently damage
the mucin secretors

WHERE AS

Chronic inflammatory disorders may be

associated with an increase in number of
goblet cells.
CLINICAL DIVISION OF CONJUNCTIVA
PARTS OF CONJUNCTIVA
 PALPEBRAL CONJUNCTIVA
This starts the mucocutaneous junction and firmly adherent to the
tarsal plates and is further divided into :

 Marginal
 Transition b/w the skin and conjunctiva

 Tarsal
 Fairly flat layer

 Orbital zone

 Shows more goblet cells

 BULBAR CONJUNCTIVA
 This lines the anterior sclera
 The stroma is loosely attached to the underlying
Tenon capsule except at the limbus where the
attachment is firm.

FORNICEAL CONJUNCTIVA
 loose
 Redundant
 Swells easily
 Thrown into folds
BLOOD SUPPLY
 BLOOD SUPPLY TO CONJUNCTIVA CONT’D

Derived from blood supply of the fornix i.e

 The posterior conjunctiva

 Anterior ciliary artery

 Anterior conjunctiva artery.

NERVE SUPPLY TO CONJUNCTIVA
 NERVE SUPPLAY TO CONJUNCTIVA CONT’D

5th cranial nerve and may terminate in free ends

or form corpuscle or tactile corpuscles