epithelium
Surface Cell Layer
Plain-language definition
A layer of tightly packed cells lining body surfaces. In the eye, epithelium covers the cornea, conjunctiva, lens, and retinal pigment layer.
Where this term comes up
“Trifluridine (brand name Viroptic) is a topical antiviral eye drop used to treat epithelial herpes simplex virus (HSV) keratitis - the dendritic and geographic ulcers that develop on the corneal surface during active herpes infection.”
Medication · Trifluridine (Viroptic)
“Geographic atrophy is an advanced form of dry AMD in which patches of retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptors have atrophied.”
Condition · Geographic Atrophy
“Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) is a non-invasive imaging technique that captures the natural fluorescence of lipofuscin and other fluorophores in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE).”
- Category
- Anatomy
- Also written as
- epithelial
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
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.