RE: [HAPS-L] conjunctiva

["Ken Saladin" <ksaladin@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Based on the conJUNCTiva and tymPANic membranes being part of the
integumentary system, I would classify them both at cutaneous.  
Jason LaPres


Only the lateral surface of the tympanic membrane is integumentary. The medial surface is a mucous membrane. Thus the tympanic membrane cannot, as a whole, be classified as one or the other.

Most of the conjunctiva, other than at the margin of the eyelid, is a columnar to low cuboidal epithelium with mucus-secreting goblet cells. I don't feel it can be considered part of the integumentary system. I construe that system as consisting of skin, hair, nails, and cutaneous glands. The conjunctiva doesn't fit into that concept of the integumentary system. Goblet cells do not occur in cutaneous membranes. Bloom & Fawcett and Bailey's call the conjunctiva a mucous membrane.

Ken

>From - Mon Jan 1 00