Which gland is located at the base of the eyelash and what does it secrete?

Which gland is located at the base of the eyelash and what does it secrete?

• A. Goblet cell; secretes mucin
• B. Ciliary gland, secretes aqueous humour
• C. Lacrimal gland; secretes tears
• D. Meibomian gland; secretes meibum

Answer: (B)

Glands at the eyelid margin that shape the tear film are the Meibomian glands. They run within the tarsal plates along the edge of the eyelids and open near the lash line, secreting meibum, a lipid-rich substance. This oily layer sits atop the watery tear film and helps prevent evaporation, keeping the eye lubricated. Other glands mentioned have different roles: goblet cells in the conjunctiva secrete mucin into the tear film, the lacrimal gland produces the aqueous part of tears, and aqueous humour is produced by the ciliary body, not by a gland at the lash base. The meibomian secretion is the key lipid component that stabilizes the tear film at the eyelid margin.

Glands at the eyelid margin that shape the tear film are the Meibomian glands. They run within the tarsal plates along the edge of the eyelids and open near the lash line, secreting meibum, a lipid-rich substance. This oily layer sits atop the watery tear film and helps prevent evaporation, keeping the eye lubricated. Other glands mentioned have different roles: goblet cells in the conjunctiva secrete mucin into the tear film, the lacrimal gland produces the aqueous part of tears, and aqueous humour is produced by the ciliary body, not by a gland at the lash base. The meibomian secretion is the key lipid component that stabilizes the tear film at the eyelid margin.