Conjunctiva

Conjunctiva It is a mucous membrane covering the inner surface of the eyelids and reflecting to cover the anterior part of the eyeball over the sclera, upto the corneal margin.

Discussion Parts and structure of the conjunctiva Disease of the conjunctiva Complications

Part of the conjunctiva PalpebralPalpebral It consists of marginal, tarsal and orbital part. It is firmly adherent to the deeper tissue. BulbarBulbar It lies over the sclera and it is freely mobile FornixFornix It is the junction of palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva It is the junction of palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva LimbalLimbal It is the junction of cornea and conjunctiva It is the junction of cornea and conjunctiva

Structure of the conjunctiva EpitheliumEpithelium Sub epithelium layerSub epithelium layer Fibrous layerFibrous layer

Nerve and blood supply Nerve supply: Trigeminal 5 th Crainal nerveNerve supply: Trigeminal 5 th Crainal nerve Blood supply:Blood supply: –Ciliary artery –Lacrimal artery –Nasal artery

Disease of the conjunctiva Any inflammation in the conjunctiva is called conjunctivitis.Any inflammation in the conjunctiva is called conjunctivitis.

Classification of conjunctivitis InfectiveInfective AllergicAllergic

Infective CatarrhalCatarrhal SerousSerous Muco-purulentMuco-purulent PurulentPurulent MembraneousMembraneous

Inflammatory condition Trachoma : Chronic inflammation of cornea and conjunctivaTrachoma : Chronic inflammation of cornea and conjunctiva

Allergic conjunctivitis Non specific urticarial reaction due to a large amount of allergen reaching the conjunctival sac.Non specific urticarial reaction due to a large amount of allergen reaching the conjunctival sac.

Phlycenular conjunctivitis It is an allergic reaction of the conjunctiva caused by endogenous bacteria. It is characterised by bleb or nodule formation near the limbus.It is an allergic reaction of the conjunctiva caused by endogenous bacteria. It is characterised by bleb or nodule formation near the limbus.

Vernal conjunctivitis It is an allergic condition caused by exogenous allergens.It is an allergic condition caused by exogenous allergens.

Pinguecula A yellowish triangular deposit on the conjunctiva near the limbus.A yellowish triangular deposit on the conjunctiva near the limbus.

Pterygium A triangular fold of tissue mass to invade the cornea covered by conjunctival epithelium.A triangular fold of tissue mass to invade the cornea covered by conjunctival epithelium.

Dermoid A solid mass at the limbus area.A solid mass at the limbus area.

Squamas cell carcinoma It appears as a slightly elevated, fleshy mass with tuft of blood vessels at the limbus.It appears as a slightly elevated, fleshy mass with tuft of blood vessels at the limbus.

Conjuctival xerosis A dry, lusterless condition of the conjunctiva.A dry, lusterless condition of the conjunctiva.

Sub conjunctival heamorrhage Spontaneous rupture of conjunctival blood vessels.Spontaneous rupture of conjunctival blood vessels.