What is another name for the corneal stroma?

What is another name for the corneal stroma?

• A. Substantia propria
• B. Descemet's membrane
• C. Endothelium
• D. Corneal epithelium

Answer: (A)

The corneal stroma is the thick, middle layer of the cornea, made mostly of regularly arranged collagen fibrils and keratocytes. It is also known as substantia propria, a traditional term for the connective tissue portion of the cornea. This name emphasizes its tissue-like, connective nature and its location between the outer epithelium (and Bowman's layer) and the inner Descemet's membrane/endothelium. Descemet's membrane is the basement membrane of the endothelium, forming the posterior boundary of the stroma. The endothelium is a single layer of cells lining the inner surface of the cornea, responsible for maintaining hydration. The corneal epithelium is the outermost protective layer.

The corneal stroma is the thick, middle layer of the cornea, made mostly of regularly arranged collagen fibrils and keratocytes. It is also known as substantia propria, a traditional term for the connective tissue portion of the cornea. This name emphasizes its tissue-like, connective nature and its location between the outer epithelium (and Bowman's layer) and the inner Descemet's membrane/endothelium.

Descemet's membrane is the basement membrane of the endothelium, forming the posterior boundary of the stroma. The endothelium is a single layer of cells lining the inner surface of the cornea, responsible for maintaining hydration. The corneal epithelium is the outermost protective layer.