EXHIBIT 5.1

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
1701 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA  19103

June 26, 2002


Closure Medical Corporation
5250 Greens Dairy Road
Raleigh, NC  27616

Re:      Closure Medical Corporation - Registration Statement on Form S-8
         Relating to the Closure Medical Corporation Amended and Restated 1996
         Equity Compensation Plan

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Closure Medical Corporation, a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), in connection with the preparation of the subject Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement" to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), relating to 1,500,000 shares of the Company's
common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), issuable under the
Closure Medical Corporation Amended and Restated 1996 Equity Compensation Plan
(the "Plan").

In rendering the opinion set forth below, we have examined the Registration
Statement and the exhibits thereto, including the Plan, certain records of the
Company's corporate proceedings as reflected in its minute books and such
statutes, records and other documents as we have deemed relevant. In our
examination, we have assumed the genuineness of documents submitted to us as
originals and the conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to us
as copies thereof.



Closure Medical Corporation
June 26, 2002
Page 2

Based on the foregoing, it is our opinion that the shares of Common Stock
issuable under the Plan will be, when issued in accordance with the terms of the
Plan, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

The opinion set forth above is limited to the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware, as amended.

We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration
Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are acting
within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the
Act and the rules or regulations of the Commission thereunder.

The opinion expressed herein is solely for your benefit and may be relied upon
only by you.

Very truly yours,

/s/  Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP