DERIVED STRUCTURES FROM EMBRYONIC LAYERS OF THE EYE

1. Surface ectoderm

•  The crystalline lens
•  Epithelium of the cornea
•  Epithelium of the conjunctiva
•  Lacrimal gland
•  Epithelium of eyelids and its derivatives viz., cilia,
• tarsal glands and conjunctival glands.
• Epithelium lining the lacrimal apparatus.

 2. Neural ectoderm

•  Retina with its pigment epithelium
•  Epithelial layers of ciliary body
•  Epithelial layers of iris
•  Sphincter and dilator pupillae muscles
•  Optic nerve (neuroglia and nervous elements only)
•  Melanocytes
•  Secondary vitreous
•  Ciliary zonules (tertiary vitreous)

3. Associated paraxial mesenchyme

•  Blood vessels of choroid, iris, ciliary vessels, central retinal artery, other vessels.
• Primary vitreous
•  Substantia propria, Descemet's membrane and endothelium of cornea
•  The sclera
• Stroma of iris
•  Ciliary muscle
•  Sheaths of optic nerve
•  Extraocular muscles
•  Fat, ligaments and other connective tissue structures of the orbit
•  Upper and medial walls of the orbit
•  Connective tissue of the upper eyelid

4. Visceral mesoderm of maxillary process
below the eye

•  Lower and lateral walls of orbit
•  Connective tissue of the lower eyelid