[The conjunctival epithelium of dogs. Light and electron microscopic investigations].

The conjunctiva of the dog has a smooth surface on the inside of the upper and lower lid and of the bulbus oculi. In these areas the conjunctiva is covered by a stratified squamous epithelium, the polygonal surface cells of which have microvilli and microplicae which are different in number and show a great variety of shapes. In the passage towards the fornix conjunctivae a stratified cuboidal epithelium is to be discerned. In the fornix itself, the conjunctiva is arranged in small folds which are protruded by goblet cells and the openings of lacrimal glands. Here a stratified cuboidal or columnar epithelium can be observed which at the electron microscopic level shows in all epithelial layers--mostly however in the stratum superficiale--morphological signs of enhanced metabolic activities. The bulbar surface of the third eyelid which is covered by a stratified squamous epithelium has a three-dimensional moulded pattern of pads and grooves. The structure of the conjunctival epithelium to some extend is age dependent.