Anterior Iris Epithelium
Anterior iris epithelium. The apical or epithelial portion of three cells with their nuclei (a), melanin granules, cell organelles and some clusters of myofilaments (b) are shown. These cells are in close contact with the posterior epithelium (c) by means of numerous desmosomes and tight junctions. Intercellular spaces containing villous processes are shown (d). The basal portion of the anterior epithelium sends tongue-like projections into the iris stroma. These cellular projections are filled with myofilaments (e) and form the dilator muscle. A basement membrane (f) surrounds the muscular portion of these cells (X 8840).
