Descemet membrane is the thin, strong basement membrane laid down by the corneal endothelium on the inner surface of the cornea. It thickens throughout life.
| Location | Between the corneal stroma and the corneal endothelium |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Long and short ciliary nerves (ophthalmic nerve, trigeminal) |
| Blood Supply | None (avascular; nourished by tears, aqueous humour and limbal vessels) |
Supports the endothelium and resists pressure from inside the eye.
Modern corneal transplants often replace only Descemet membrane and endothelium (DMEK). Tears from birth trauma or acute hydrops in keratoconus cause sudden corneal swelling. Copper deposits in its periphery (Kayser-Fleischer rings) are a sign of Wilson disease.
A tear in Descemet membrane in keratoconus allowing fluid into the stroma.
A brownish ring at the corneal edge from copper deposition in Wilson disease.
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