Which statement about Descemet's membrane is correct?

Which statement about Descemet's membrane is correct?

• A. It is the outermost layer of the cornea
• B. It is the primary site of phototransduction
• C. It anchors the endothelium to the stroma and acts as a protective barrier
• D. It secretes aqueous humor

Answer: (C)

Descemet's membrane is the basement membrane produced by the corneal endothelium, and it lies between the stroma and the endothelium. It provides a stable foundation for the endothelial cells to attach to the stroma, effectively anchoring the endothelium to the underlying stroma. It also serves as a protective barrier, helping regulate what diffuses between the anterior chamber and the corneal stroma, which supports corneal clarity. It is not the outermost surface (the epithelium is), it is not involved in phototransduction (that occurs in the retina), and it does not secrete aqueous humor (that’s done by the ciliary body). So the statement that it anchors the endothelium to the stroma and acts as a protective barrier fits its actual role.

Descemet's membrane is the basement membrane produced by the corneal endothelium, and it lies between the stroma and the endothelium. It provides a stable foundation for the endothelial cells to attach to the stroma, effectively anchoring the endothelium to the underlying stroma. It also serves as a protective barrier, helping regulate what diffuses between the anterior chamber and the corneal stroma, which supports corneal clarity. It is not the outermost surface (the epithelium is), it is not involved in phototransduction (that occurs in the retina), and it does not secrete aqueous humor (that’s done by the ciliary body). So the statement that it anchors the endothelium to the stroma and acts as a protective barrier fits its actual role.