Schwalbe's line is described as which of the following?

• A. A continuation of Bowman's membrane past the limbus
• B. A portion of the conjunctiva near the limbus
• C. A continuation of Descemet's membrane past the limbus
• D. A region of scleral pigment

Answer: (C)

Schwalbe's line marks the peripheral edge where Descemet's membrane continues toward and beyond the limbus, forming a distinct line at the corneal–scleral junction. Descemet's membrane is the basement membrane secreted by the corneal endothelium, and it extends to the periphery where it ends at Schwalbe's line. This line defines the inner boundary of the trabecular angle and helps distinguish the corneal endothelium/Descemet's membrane from the sclera as you move from cornea into sclera. It is not Bowman's membrane, which lies in the corneal stroma closer to the epithelium; it is not conjunctival tissue near the limbus; and it is not scleral pigment.