What is the outermost layer of the cornea?

What is the outermost layer of the cornea?

• A. Endothelium
• B. Stroma
• C. Epithelium
• D. Descemet's membrane

Answer: (C)

The outermost layer of the cornea is the epithelium. This thin, protective sheet is a stratified squamous epithelium that forms the smooth boundary with the tear film and acts as the first line of defense against mechanical and microbial insult. It is highly regenerative, renewing itself from stem cells near the limbus, which explains why superficial injuries heal quickly. Beneath it lies Bowman's layer, then the thick stroma, followed by Descemet's membrane and the endothelium at the back; the endothelium rather than the epithelium is the innermost layer facing the anterior chamber and helps regulate corneal hydration. The epithelium’s position as the front boundary makes it the true outermost layer.

The outermost layer of the cornea is the epithelium. This thin, protective sheet is a stratified squamous epithelium that forms the smooth boundary with the tear film and acts as the first line of defense against mechanical and microbial insult. It is highly regenerative, renewing itself from stem cells near the limbus, which explains why superficial injuries heal quickly. Beneath it lies Bowman's layer, then the thick stroma, followed by Descemet's membrane and the endothelium at the back; the endothelium rather than the epithelium is the innermost layer facing the anterior chamber and helps regulate corneal hydration. The epithelium’s position as the front boundary makes it the true outermost layer.