conjunctiva

Question 1

where is the conjunctiva?

Answer 1

• conjunctiva is a thin transparent mucous membrane
• the membrane is continuous and lines three parts of the eye:
  > palpebral conjunctiva - under surface of top & bottom eyelids
  > bulbar conjunctiva - surface of eye, covering sclera
  > conjunctiva fornices - junction between palpebral and bulbar conjunctivas

Question 2

palpebral conjunctiva

Answer 2

• lies the under surface of top & bottom eyelids
• subdivided into three portions
  > marginal - transitional zone between eyelid & conjunctiva proper
  > tarsal - posterior to tarsal plates of eyelid
  > orbital - covers between the tarsal plate & fornix

Question 3

tarsal conjunctiva (palpebral conjunctiva)

Answer 3

• Thin and highly vascular, thus inner surface or eyelid appears pinkish red
• Upper eyelid: fully adherent to the whole tarsal plate at upper eyelid
• Lower evelid: onlv uoper portion or tarsal plates adherent
• Underlying tarsal glands are visible through transparent tarsal coniunctiva as vertical parallel streaks

Question 4

conjunctival epithelium

Answer 4

• Commences at orifices of tarsal glands
  > Become extremely thin behind tarsal plate
  > Increase in layers at limbus, conjunctival epithelium continuous with the corneal epithelium
  > Continuous with epidermis of skin of eyelid at the edge of marginal conjunctiva
• Consists of non-keratinised epithelium and goblet cells
• Goblet cells
  > Zero goblet cells at limbus and marginal conjunctiva
  > reach a maximum amount at conjunctival fornix
  > Secretes mucin layer of the tear film

Question 5

conjunctival blood supply

Answer 5

ophthalmic artery

Question 6

conjunctival nerve supply

Answer 6

trigeminal nerve (CN V)