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Dry eye syndrome - Background information
Glossary of anatomical terms related to the eye

  • Blepharitis
    • Inflammation of the eyelids.
  • Conjunctiva
    • Plural: conjunctivae.
    • The clear membrane that lines the surface of the sclera and the insides of the eyelids.
  • Cornea
    • The transparent tissue at the front of the eyeball that forms a clear window through which light passes.
  • Lacrimal duct (or canaliculus)
    • Plural: canaliculi.
    • The small tubes situated in the inner corners of the upper and the lower eyelids. Tears are drained through lacrimal ducts into the nose.
  • Lacrimal gland
    • The source of the aqueous (and largest) part of tears. The lacrimal gland is in the upper outer part of the eye socket, just inside its outer rim.
  • Meibomian gland
    • Sebaceous glands that secrete an oily substance into the tears. Meibomian glands are situated in the margins of the eyelids.
  • Punctum
    • Plural: puncta.
    • The hole in the eyelid through which the tears pass into the canaliculi.
  • Sclera
    • Plural: sclerae.
    • The white part of the eye.

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