Quantitative and comparative ultrastructure of the vertebrate cornea. I. Urodele Amphibia.

The cornea of the urodele amphibian Triturus c. cristatus was studied ultrastructurally in order to provide the basis for a comparison among corneas throughout the vertebrate phylum. The cornea of this salamander consists of relatively thick epithelium and basement membrane and thin Descemet's membrane, unlike the mammalian corneas. The outermost epithelial cells contain Ruthenium Red stainable extracellular filaments and intracellular vesicles which are thought to play a role in the process of lubricating the corneal surface. Occluding junctions have been observed in the apical region of the superficial epithelial cells and are considered as barriers to the intercellular passage of material. A thin substantia propria (stroma) consists of about 40 collagenous highly organized lamellae. The thicknesses of the basement membrane, Descemet's membrane and the epithelium are believed to represent the primitive situation in the process of corneal evolution.