WordNet

a transparent lubricating mucous membrane that covers the eyeball and the under surface of the eyelid
of or relating to the conjunctiva

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出典(authority):フリー百科事典『ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』「2013/05/15 02:54:24」(JST)

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Image of a human eye clearly showing the blood vessels of the conjunctiva.

Hyperemia of the superficial blood vessels of the conjunctiva.

The conjunctiva lines the inside of the eyelids and covers the sclera (white part of the eye). It is composed of non-keratinized, stratified columnar epithelium with goblet cells.

Function [edit]

The conjunctiva 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 microbes into the eye.

Anatomy [edit]

Gross anatomy [edit]

The conjunctiva is typically divided into three parts:

Part	Area
Palpebral or tarsal conjunctiva	Lines the eyelids.
Bulbar or ocular conjunctiva	Covers the eyeball, over the anterior sclera. This region of the conjunctiva is tightly bound to the underlying sclera by Tenon's capsule and moves with the eyeball movements.
Fornix conjunctiva	Forms the junction between the bulbar and palpebral conjunctivas. It is loose and flexible, allowing the free movement of the lids and eyeball.^[2]

Sensory Innervation [edit]

Sensory innervation of the conjunctiva is divided into four parts:^[3]

Area	Nerve
Superior	Supraorbital nerve Supratrochlear nerve Infratrochlear nerve
Inferior	Infraorbital nerve
Lateral	Lacrimal nerve (with contribution from zygomaticofacial nerve)
Circumcorneal	Long ciliary nerves

Histology [edit]

The conjunctiva consists of non-keratinized, stratified squamous epithelium, with interspersed goblet cells.^[4] The epithelial layer contains blood vessels, fibrous tissue, and lymphatic channels.^[4] Accessory lacrimal glands in the conjunctiva constantly produce the aqueous portion of tears.^[4] Additional cells present in the conjunctival epithelium include melanocytes, T and B cell lymphocytes.^[4]

Diseases and disorders [edit]

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 susceptible to trauma, infections, chemical irritation, allergic reactions and dryness.

The conjunctiva can become inflamed secondary to bacterial infection. The resultant condition is known as conjunctivitis and commonly referred to as pinkeye.

Conjunctival irritation can occur for a wide variety of reasons including dry eye and overexposure to VOCs (Volatile organic compounds).

Leptospirosis, an infection with Leptospira, can cause conjunctival suffusion, which is characterized by chemosis, and redness without exudates.

With age, the conjunctiva can stretch and loosen from the underlying sclera, leading to the formation of conjunctival folds, a condition known as conjunctivochalasis.^[5]^[6]

Additional images [edit]

Sagittal section through the upper eyelid.
Extrinsic eye muscle. Nerves of orbita. Deep dissection.

References [edit]

^ London Place Eye Center (2003). Conjunctivitis. Retrieved July 25, 2004.
^ Eye, human Encyclopaedia Britannica
^ http://www.nda.ox.ac.uk/wfsa/html/u06/u06_b06.htm
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Goldman, Lee. Goldman's Cecil Medicine (24th ed. ed.). Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders. p. 2426. ISBN 1437727883.
^ "Conjunctivochalasis - Medical Definition". Medilexicon.com. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
^ WL Hughes Conjunctivochalasis. American Journal of Ophthalmology 1942

External links [edit]

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

This article about the eye is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

UpToDate Contents

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1. 結膜炎 conjunctivitis
2. 救急外来における眼部損傷の概要 overview of eye injuries in the emergency department
3. 翼状片 pterygium
4. 結膜損傷 conjunctival injury
5. 眼の待機手術に対する麻酔 anesthesia for elective eye surgery

English Journal

Comparison of the ocular surface changes following the use of two different prostaglandin F2α analogues containing benzalkonium chloride or polyquad in rabbit eyes.

Lee HJ1, Jun RM, Cho MS, Choi KR.
Cutaneous and ocular toxicology.Cutan Ocul Toxicol.2015 Sep;34(3):195-202. doi: 10.3109/15569527.2014.944650. Epub 2014 Sep 29.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to compare the effect of prostaglandin analogues preserved with either 0.015% or 0.001% benzalkoium chloride (BAK); or 0.001% polyquad (PQ) on the ocular surface of rabbit eyes.METHODS: Forty white rabbits were randomized to receive four-times daily instillation o
PMID 25265260

A new bovine conjunctiva model shows that Listeria monocytogenes invasion is associated with lysozyme resistance.

Warren J1, Owen AR1, Glanvill A1, Francis A2, Maboni G1, Nova RJ1, Wapenaar W1, Rees C2, Tötemeyer S3.
Veterinary microbiology.Vet Microbiol.2015 Aug 31;179(1-2):76-81. doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2015.02.029. Epub 2015 Mar 4.
Listerial keratoconjunctivitis ('silage eye') is a wide spread problem in ruminants causing economic losses to farmers and impacts negatively on animal welfare. It results from direct entry of Listeria monocytogenes into the eye, often following consumption of contaminated silage. An isolation proto
PMID 25778543

Hydrogel Ring for Topical Drug Delivery to the Ocular Posterior Segment.

Shikamura Y1, Yamazaki Y, Matsunaga T, Sato T, Ohtori A, Tojo K.
Current eye research.Curr Eye Res.2015 Aug 3:1-9. [Epub ahead of print]
PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of a topical hydrogel ring for drug delivery to the posterior segment of the rabbit eye.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Novel hydrogel corneal lenses (CL), scleral/corneal lenses (S/CL), and rings were prepared using poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate). The devices were immer
PMID 26237665

Japanese Journal

結膜充血の客観的・定量的評価 (特集アレルギー性結膜疾患の病態と診療の進歩)

福島敦樹
臨床免疫・アレルギー科 61(4), 395-401, 2014-04
NAID 40020064698

アレルギー性結膜炎と環境因子 (特集アレルギー性結膜疾患の病態と診療の進歩)

藤島浩
臨床免疫・アレルギー科 61(4), 391-394, 2014-04
NAID 40020064681

聖隷浜松病院眼形成眼窩外科における過去9年間の眼窩,眼瞼,結膜腫瘍の検討 (特集第67回日本臨床眼科学会講演集(2))

末岡健太郎,嘉鳥信忠,笠井健一郎 [他]
臨床眼科 68(4), 463-470, 2014-04
NAID 40020044687

Related Pictures

★リンクテーブル★

リンク元	「conjunctival」「conjunctivae」「結膜」
拡張検索	「conjunctival hyperemia」

「conjunctival」

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	supratrochlear nerve
MeSH	Conjunctiva