ABSTRACT

The conjunctiva extends from the eyelid margin to the corneoscleral limbus, and its morphology varies in the different regions. The palpebral conjunctiva covers the inner eyelid surface, and is represented by a nonkeratinized pseudo-stratified columnar epithelium with interspersed goblet cells (mucin-producing), over a thin layer of substantia propria that is firmly attached to the tarsus. In the fornices, the epithelium becomes stratified cuboidal with an increased number of goblet cells. The substantia propria in this region is more abundant, and it may contain lymphoid follicles and accessory lacrimal gland tissue. Over the ocular surface, the bulbar conjunctiva is characterized by non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium without goblet cells, lying over a layer of fibrous vascular connective tissue, firmly attached to the sclera.