Ultrastructural study of the cornea in the chick embryo

Summary

The study of the development of the cornea in the chick embryo by transmission and scanning electron microscopy allows us to observe the differences between the aspect of thin sections and the surface of the cells. When studied with the T.E.M. both endothelium and epithelium have a rather normal and mature aspects on the 9th day of development. Observed with the S.E.M., the aspect of the surface of the epithelium becomes mature no earlier than on the 19th day, whereas the development of the endothelium is completed only after hatching. The development of apical junctional complexes occurs at a later stage in the organisation of the endothelial layer.