Fetal Corneal Basal Epithelial Cells (CE)

Fetal corneal basal epithelial cells are primitive corneal epithelial cells that are first apparent at about weeks five of human gestation. When eyelids first open, these cells differentiate into the superbasal (wing) cells. In addition, these basal cells change their shape during this stage, from a flattened, ovoid appearance to cuboidal cells and later take on a columnar shape, which is the mature form of corneal basal epithelial cells.