The episclera is the outermost layer of the
sclera
The sclera, also known as the white of the eye or, in older literature, as the tunica albuginea oculi, is the opaque, fibrous, protective outer layer of the eye containing mainly collagen and some crucial elastic fiber.
In the development of t ...
(the white of the eye).
[Cassin, B. and Solomon, S. ''Dictionary of Eye Terminology''. Gainesville, Florida: Triad Publishing Company, 1990.] It is composed of loose, fibrous, elastic tissue and attaches to
Tenon's capsule.
A vascular plexus is found between the
bulbar conjunctiva and the sclera consisting of two layers of vessels, the superficial episcleral vessels and the deep episcleral vessels.
Clinical significance
In
episcleritis, the episclera and Tenon's capsule are infiltrated with inflammatory cells.
[Heath, G]
"The episclera, sclera and conjunctiva: An overview of relevant ocular anatomy."
''OT''. February 10, 2006.
References
Human eye anatomy
{{eye-stub