Meibomian gland
Meibomian Gland
The Meibomian gland (pronounced: my-BOH-mee-an) is a type of exocrine gland found in the eyelid. It is named after the German doctor Heinrich Meibom, who first described it in detail.
Etymology
The term "Meibomian" is derived from the name of Heinrich Meibom, a 17th-century German doctor who specialized in the study of the eye and its diseases. The term "gland" comes from the Latin word "glandula", which means a small acorn, referring to the shape of many glands.
Function
The Meibomian gland is responsible for the production of meibum, an oily substance that prevents the tear film from evaporating. This helps to keep the eye moist and protects it from dust and other foreign particles.
Related Terms
- Blepharitis: Inflammation of the eyelids, often caused by malfunctioning Meibomian glands.
- Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD): A common eye condition resulting from the blockage or some other abnormality of the Meibomian glands.
- Dry eye syndrome: A condition often associated with Meibomian gland dysfunction, where the eyes do not produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Meibomian gland
- Wikipedia's article - Meibomian gland
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