Definition

Noun: A Meibomian gland is a specialized, elongated sebaceous (oil-producing) gland located within the eyelid. Its primary function is to secrete an oily substance that forms part of the tear film, preventing the rapid evaporation of tears and lubricating the eyelids.

Usage

The term is used in medical and anatomical contexts to refer to these specific glands. * The ophthalmologist explained that a blocked Meibomian gland can cause dry eye symptoms. * Blepharitis is often associated with dysfunction of the Meibomian glands.

Advanced Usage

• Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD): A common chronic condition where the glands are blocked or produce poor-quality oil, leading to eye irritation and dry eye disease.
  • The patient was diagnosed with Meibomian gland dysfunction and prescribed warm compresses.

Variants and Related Words

• Tarsal gland: An older, synonymous term for a Meibomian gland.
• Sebaceous gland: The general type of gland to which Meibomian glands belong; they secrete sebum (oil).

Synonyms

• Tarsal gland

Related Medical Conditions

• Stye (or hordeolum): A red, painful lump near the edge of the eyelid that can result from an acute bacterial infection of a Meibomian gland or an eyelash follicle.
  • A stye developed from an infected Meibomian gland.
• Chalazion: A typically painless lump or cyst in the eyelid caused by a blocked and inflamed Meibomian gland.
  • Unlike a stye, a chalazion is caused by a blocked, not infected, Meibomian gland.

Noun

1. a long sebaceous gland that lubricates the eyelids
   • bacterial infection of a Meibomian gland produces a stye