Which corneal layer is immediately posterior to the stroma?

Which corneal layer is immediately posterior to the stroma?

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

Answer: (C)

In the cornea, the layers run from front to back as epithelium, Bowman's layer, stroma, Descemet's membrane, and endothelium. The layer directly behind the stroma is Descemet's membrane. It serves as the basement membrane for the innermost endothelial cells and provides a thick, resilient barrier; the endothelium sits on the inner surface of this membrane. Descemet's membrane also tends to thicken with age, while the endothelium remains essential for maintaining corneal deturgescence. Bowman's layer lies in front of the stroma, and the epithelium is the outermost surface, so they aren’t immediately behind the stroma.

In the cornea, the layers run from front to back as epithelium, Bowman's layer, stroma, Descemet's membrane, and endothelium. The layer directly behind the stroma is Descemet's membrane. It serves as the basement membrane for the innermost endothelial cells and provides a thick, resilient barrier; the endothelium sits on the inner surface of this membrane. Descemet's membrane also tends to thicken with age, while the endothelium remains essential for maintaining corneal deturgescence. Bowman's layer lies in front of the stroma, and the epithelium is the outermost surface, so they aren’t immediately behind the stroma.