Meibomian gland
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2008-02-20T15:22:28Z
Caulfieldholden
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it
{{Infobox Anatomy |
Name = {{PAGENAME}} |
Latin = glandulae tarsales |
GraySubject = 227 |
GrayPage = 1026 |
Image = Gray1205.png |
Caption = Front of left eye with eyelids separated to show medial canthus and openings of tarsal (meibomian) glands. |
Image2 = |
Caption2 = |
System = |
MeshName = Meibomian+glands |
MeshNumber = A09.371.337.614 |
DorlandsPre = g_06 |
DorlandsSuf = 12392757 |
}}
The '''meibomian glands''' (or '''tarsal glands''') are a special kind of [[sebaceous glands]] at the rim of the [[eyelid]]s, responsible for the supply of [[sebum]], an oily substance that prevents evaporation of the [[eye]]'s [[Tears|tear]] film, prevents tear spillage onto the cheek, and makes the closed lids airtight. There are approximately 50 glands on the upper eyelids and 25 glands on the lower eyelids.
The glands are named after [[Heinrich Meibom (doctor)|Heinrich Meibom]] (1638-1700), a German physician.
== Proteins ==
In humans, more than 90 different proteins have been identified in meibomian gland secretions.<ref>Tsai PS, Evans JE, Green KM, Sullivan RM, Schaumberg DA, Richards SM, Dana MR, Sullivan DA. "Proteomic analysis of human meibomian gland secretions." ''Br J Ophthalmol.'' 2006 Mar;90(3):372-7. PMID 16488965.</ref>
== Dysfunction ==
Dysfunctional meibomian glands often cause [[dry eye]]s, one of the more common eye conditions. They may also cause [[blepharitis]], as the dry eyeball rubs off small pieces of skin from the eyelid, which can get infected. Inflammation of the meibomian glands (also known as ''meibomitis'', ''meibomian gland dysfunction'', or ''posterior blepharitis'' [http://webeyemd.com/faq/EDCor/mgd.htm]) causes the glands to be obstructed by thick secretions, the resulting swelling is termed a [[chalazion]]. Besides leading to dry eyes, the obstructions can be degraded by bacterial [[lipase]]s, resulting in the formation of free [[fatty acid]]s, which irritate the eyes and sometimes cause punctate [[keratitis]].
== References ==
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== External links ==
* {{WhoNamedIt|synd|541}}
{{Accessory organs of the eye}}
[[Category:Eye]]
[[de:Meibom-Drüse]]
[[it:Ghiandola di Meibomio]]
[[ja:マイボーム腺]]
[[nl:Klieren van Meibom]]
[[pt:Glândula acinotarsal]]
[[zh:瞼板腺]]