Goblet cells of the human conjunctiva
J. V. Greiner, A. S. Henriquez, H. I. Covington, T. A. Weidman and M. R. Allansmith
We correlated histologic findings concerning conjunctival goblet cells with
findings concerning the mucous membrane surfaces of the conjunctiva. Ten
biopsy specimens were obtained from the upper tarsal conjunctiva and ten
from the perilimbal bulbar conjunctiva. Changes in goblet cells just before
and during secretion included changes in surface cell diameter, evagination
of the apical surface of the cell membrane, decrease in the number of
microvilli, and alteration in the arrangement and morphologic
characteristics of microvilli. Changes seen by light and transmission
electron microscopy correlated with those observed by scanning electron
microscopy. Goblet cells were often associated with crypt openings; some
crypts served as conduits for the secretion of mucus from underlying goblet
cells. This study supports the hypothesis that crypts in the conjunctiva
seen by scanning electron microscopy are often associated with goblet cells
and their mucus secretion.
