Descemet's
Corneal Basement Membrane
Plain-language definition
A thin, tough membrane between the corneal stroma and endothelium. Descemet's membrane tears or detachment can cause corneal swelling and vision loss.
Where this term comes up
“Instead of replacing the whole cornea, the surgeon swaps out the diseased endothelium and Descemet's membrane while leaving most of the patient's own cornea in place.”
Treatment · Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK / DSAEK)
“Acute rupture of Descemet's membrane”
Condition · Keratoconus
“Slit-lamp examination - reveals guttata (tiny excrescences on Descemet's membrane) and corneal edema”
Condition · Fuchs' Endothelial Dystrophy
- Category
- Anatomy
- Also written as
- No alternate forms listed.
Anatomy terms name the eye, orbit, optic nerve, retina, or visual pathway structures that may appear in an exam note or imaging report.
Related glossary terms
- cornea
Clear Front Window
- endothelium
Inner Cell Lining
- keratoplasty
Corneal Transplant
- transplant
Tissue Replacement Surgery
- epithelium
Surface Cell Layer
- dystrophy
Inherited Tissue Degeneration
A note on medical context
A glossary definition can explain a word, but it cannot tell you whether a symptom or test result is serious. If this term came from an article, use the full article and your clinician's guidance for context.