cornea

American  

[kawr-nee-uh] / ˈkɔr ni ə /

noun

Anatomy.

1. the transparent anterior part of the external coat of the eye covering the iris and the pupil and continuous with the sclera.

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cornea British  

/ ˈkɔːnɪə /

noun

1. the convex transparent membrane that forms the anterior covering of the eyeball and is continuous with the sclera

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cornea Scientific  

/ kôr′nē-ə /

1. The tough transparent membrane of the outer layer of the eyeball that covers the iris and the pupil.

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cornea Cultural  

1. The transparent outer covering of the front of the eye that covers the iris and pupil.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• precorneal
  adjective
• multicorneal
  adjective
• corneal
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of cornea

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin cornea ( tēla, later tunica ) horny (web or tunic), feminine of corneus corneous

Explanation

Your cornea is part of your eyeball — specifically, it's the clear layer that covers your whole iris and pupil. Without a cornea (or two), you wouldn't be able to see. This transparent dome focuses light as it passes through, as well as protecting the rest of the eye from injury. If you've ever gotten a little scratch on your eyeball, that's called a corneal abrasion and it usually heals itself quickly. The Latin root of cornea means "horn-like web or sheath," from an ancient Greek belief that it resembled a thin slice of an animal's horn.

Example Sentences

The cornea became one of the most promising targets because even small changes in its curvature can dramatically improve vision.

From Science Daily • May 28, 2026

That limitation inspired researchers to search for a way to reshape the cornea without making incisions at all.

From Science Daily • May 28, 2026

Sitting on his living room couch this week, Rodriguez said doctors told him the projectile that hit him in his eye damaged his iris, cornea and lens.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 16, 2026

Originally introduced in Europe, this 20-minute cosmetic procedure involves using a laser to create a channel in the cornea, where colored pigment is deposited to change the color of the eye.

From Salon • May 4, 2025

Africa has parasites so particular and diverse as to occupy every niche of the body: intestines small and large, the skin, the bladder, the male and female reproductive tracts, interstitial fluids, even the cornea.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver