Conjunctiva

You don't need to be Editor-In-Chief to add or edit content to WikiDoc. You can begin to add to or edit text on this WikiDoc page by clicking on the edit button at the top of this page. Next enter or edit the information that you would like to appear here. Once you are done editing, scroll down and click the Save page button at the bottom of the page.

Conjunctiva
The upper half of a sagittal section through the front of the eyeball. (Label for 'Conjunctiva' visible at center-left.)
Horizontal section of the eyeball. (Conjunctiva labeled at upper left.)
Gray's	subject #227 1026
Artery	lacrimal artery, anterior ciliary arteries
Nerve	lacrimal nerve
MeSH	Conjunctiva

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Phone:617-525-6884

Please Join in Editing This Page and Apply to be an Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [2] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.

The conjunctiva is a membrane that covers the sclera (white part of the eye) and lines the inside of the eyelids.

Function

It helps lubricate the eye by producing mucus and tears, although a smaller volume of tears than the lacrimal gland.^[1] It also contributes to immune surveillance and helps to prevent the entrance of microorganisms into the eye.

Histology

The conjunctiva is typically divided into three parts:

1. Palpebral or tarsal conjunctiva: The conjunctiva lining the eyelids.
2. Fornix conjunctiva: The conjunctiva where the inner part of the eyelids and the eyeball meet, the palpebral conjunctiva is reflected at the superior fornix and the inferior fornix to become the bulbar conjunctiva.
3. Bulbar or ocular conjunctiva: The conjunctiva covering the eyeball, over the sclera. This region of the conjunctiva is bound tightly and moves with the eyeball movements.

Diseases and disorders

Main article: List of eye diseases and disorders

Disorders of the conjunctiva and cornea are a common source of eye complaints.

The surface of the eye is exposed to various external influences and is especially suspectible to trauma, infections, and allergic reactions.

The conjunctiva is best known because of its inflamed state, conjunctivitis (more commonly known as pinkeye).

Conjunctival irritation is one of the adverse health effects that can take place after overexposure to VOCs (Volatile organic compounds).

See also

• Pinguecula
• Pterygium

Additional images

Sagittal section through the upper eyelid.

References

External links

• Medicinenet.com (1999). Conjunctiva. Retrieved July 25, 2004.
• MedEd at Loyola medicine/pulmonar/images/anatomy/eyeli.jpg

v • d • e Sensory system - Visual system - Eye
Fibrous tunic (outer)	Conjunctiva • Sclera  • Schlemm's canal • Trabecular meshwork • Limbus Cornea (Epithelium, Bowman's, Stroma, Descemet's, Endothelium)
Uvea (middle)	Choroid (Ciliary processes, Choriocapillaris, Bruch's membrane) • Iris (Stroma)  • Pupil • Ciliary body
Retina (inner)	Macula • Fovea • Optic disc
Anterior segment	Anterior chamber • Aqueous humour • Posterior chamber • Lens
Posterior segment	Vitreous humour • Zonule of Zinn
Intraocular muscles	parasympathetic (Ciliary muscle, Iris sphincter muscle) • sympathetic (Iris dilator muscle)

WikiDoc Help Menu Quick Start.. Get Started Here! How to Login How to Search Pages How to Start a New Page How to Edit a Page Cheat Sheet Editing basics Learning Basic Formatting How to make Links in WikiDoc & to External Sites How to Make Lists How to Ignoring Formatting Adding References or Footnotes to Articles Tracking Changes You Have Made How to Put an Article Into a Category When Multiple Topics Should Go To The Same Page (MI, Acute MI, AMI) Using Redirection Advanced editing How to Make Tables How to Insert Images and Other Media How to Add Video Help:How to Make Columns Web Colors How To Make Templates How to Move Pages Inserting Dynamic Dates and Times Inserting WikiDoc Statistics Editing the Table of Contents Communicating your edits Let others know what you changed: The importance of Edit Summaries Minor Edits Edit Conflicts Help Videos You Can Watch Getting Started Video

Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content

Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .

ar:ملتحمة de:Bindehauteo:Konjunktivo fr:Conjonctive it:Congiuntiva lt:Junginė nl:Bindvlies no:Konjunktiva