Gross anatomy and morphometric evaluation of the canine lacrimal and third eyelid glands
OBJECTIVE: The lacrimal gland (LG) and the third eyelid gland (TELG) are two intraorbital glands that, in dogs, secrete the aqueous component of the tear film. Despite the central importance of these structures for maintaining ocular surface health, the gross anatomy of the glands remains understudi...
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Published in | Veterinary ophthalmology Vol. 19; no. 3; pp. 230 - 236 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
England
Blackwell Science
01.05.2016
Blackwell Publishing Ltd |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | OBJECTIVE: The lacrimal gland (LG) and the third eyelid gland (TELG) are two intraorbital glands that, in dogs, secrete the aqueous component of the tear film. Despite the central importance of these structures for maintaining ocular surface health, the gross anatomy of the glands remains understudied. We investigated the macroscopic morphometric characteristics of the LG and TELG in three different dog breeds. PROCEDURES: Twenty‐six dog heads were dissected to expose the LG and TELG; the length, width, thickness, and weight of each were measured. During the dissections, the relationships between the glands and adjacent ocular structures and the blood and nerve supplies to the LG were photo‐documented. RESULTS: The LG had a flat and irregular shape with morphological variations among dogs. The LG was located on the dorsolateral aspect of the globe underneath the orbital ligament. The average length, width, and thickness (SEM) of the LG (mm) were 16.5 ± 0.7, 12.5 ± 0.4, and 2.7 ± 0.1 and of the TELG 10.5 ± 0.6, 11.0 ± 0.3, and 3.3 ± 0.1, respectively. The mean weights (SD) of the LG and TELG (mg) were 315.7 ± 21.1 and 263.3 ± 13.2, respectively. Beagles were observed to have significantly smaller LGs compared to pit bull terriers and pointer mixed‐breed dogs. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides detailed normative anatomical and morphometric data for the LG and TELG. These data will aid researchers investigating alterations induced by disease states and should inform strategies for the local delivery of pharmacologic and cellular therapeutics. |
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Bibliography: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/vop.12288 ark:/67375/WNG-PL2M1PF4-1 istex:5CF65590D070194532C518CB3D9BA9908C0FAC78 ArticleID:VOP12288 Center for Equine Health ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 1463-5216 1463-5224 |
DOI: | 10.1111/vop.12288 |