Vertically oriented, delicate lines located near the level of the stroma are called what?

The term that describes vertically oriented, delicate lines located near the level of the stroma is "striae." Striae, in the context of ocular anatomy, specifically refer to fine lines or striations that can occur in the corneal stroma. These features are often indicative of the corneal structure and the layers within it.

Striae are distinguished from other terms such as ridges, folds, and layers, which have different meanings in ocular anatomy. Ridges typically denote raised areas or elevations on a surface, while folds refer to creases or pleats that form when a structure bends or layers overlap. Layers denote distinct levels or strata within a tissue, which are typically thicker and more pronounced than the delicate appearance of striae. Therefore, striae specifically apply to the subtle, delicate markings near the stroma that characterize certain aspects of the corneal surface.