Eye
General
Anatomy & histology-eyelid
Author: Nat Pernick, M.D.
Last author update: 1 February 2014
Last staff update: 18 December 2020
Copyright: 2004-2024, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Anatomy [title] of eyelid [title]
Table of Contents
Definition / general | Pathophysiology | Gray line | Drawings | Microscopic (histologic) imagesCite this page: Pernick N. Anatomy & histology-eyelid. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/eyeeyelidanatomy.html. Accessed April 19th, 2024.
Definition / general
- Has cutaneous and conjunctival portion
- Palpebral (tarsal) conjunctiva lines interior of eyelid
- Very thin
- Continuous with bulbar conjunctiva that covers the sclera
- Becomes papillary with allergic or bacterial conjunctivitis
- Contains eccrine and apocrine glands (glands of Moll) and sebaceous glands
- Sebaceous glands (Meibomian glands within eyelid fibrous tarsus and glands of Zeis associated with eyelashes) create lipid layer of tear film which retards evaporation of tears
- The orifices of Meibomian glands open just in front of the posterior edge of the lid margin and are separated from the more anteriorly placed eyelashes by a gray line
- Muscular layer is composed primary of orbicularis oculi muscle
Pathophysiology
- Specimens received are often from cosmetic blepharoplasty or other reparative surgery with no abnormalities
- Other lesions are similar to those in skin
- Creates tear film via accessory lacrimal glands embedded above fibrous tarsus of eyelid
- Helps to protect and lubricate the globe
- Tumors may prevent complete closure of eyelid, leading to exposure and ulceration of cornea
Gray line
- Divides the eyelid into anterior and posterior parts
- It corresponds with the position of the pretarsal orbicularis muscle
Drawings
Images hosted on other servers:
Upper eyelid
Microscopic (histologic) images
AFIP images
Normal upper eyelid
M: meibomian glands
O: orbicularis muscle
T: tarsal plate
Z: Zeis glands
Normal lower eyelid:
smaller tarsal plate
than upper eyelid
Normal Meibomian gland:
sebaceous lobules connect
to sebaceous duct, where
ductal epithelium forms
valve-like structures
Images hosted on other servers:
Eyelid cross section
