Bowman’s membrane

anatomy

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June 22, 2026

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Bowman's membrane is a layer within the cornea, the transparent outer membrane of the eye. It is located just beneath the corneal epithelium and above the stroma, the cornea's main supporting layer. While it was once thought to be a distinct layer, modern studies suggest it is part of the stroma with collagen fibrils that are not as regularly arranged as in the rest of the stroma. This membrane is about 8 to 14 microns thick. The cornea itself is crucial for vision, acting as the eye's primary focusing element and protecting the inner eye structures. It is sensitive to touch and pain due to numerous nerve fibers.12

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human eye
The outermost coat
…the epithelium, or outer covering; Bowman’s membrane; the stroma, or supporting structure; Descemet’s membrane; and the endothelium, or inner lining. Up to 90 percent of the thickness of the cornea is made up of the stroma. The epithelium, which is a continuation of the epithelium of the conjunctiva, is itself…
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…the epithelium, or outer covering; Bowman’s membrane; the stroma, or supporting structure; Descemet’s membrane; and the endothelium, or inner lining. Up to 90 percent of the thickness of the cornea is made up of the stroma. The epithelium, which is a continuation of the epithelium of the conjunctiva, is itself…
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