Corneal Histomorphology of the Adult Squirrel (<i>Epixerus ebii</i>)

Abstract

The cornea is the transparent anterior portion of the fibrous tunic of the globe. It is the most important structure of the ocular surface for the maintenance of vision. The histomorphology of the Squirrel (E.ebii) cornea was investigated in this study. The Squirrel cornea consisted of five layers – Anterior epithelium, anterior limiting membrane (Bowman’s membrane), substancia propria (stroma), posterior limiting membrane (Descement’s membrane) and posterior epithelium (endothelium).The anterior epithelium was of the non-keratinized stratified squamous type sitting on a vaguely defined PAS positive anterior limiting membrane. The stroma was made up of regularly arranged collagen fibers with fibrocytes found between the lamella. The posterior limiting membrane was present and was PAS positive. The posterior epithelium consisted of a single layer of large squamous cells.