Ciliary glands - Eye - Anatomical cross sections - e-Anatomy
View the module

Ciliary glands

Glandulae ciliares

  • Eponym: Moll’s glands
  • Related terms: Ciliary gland

Definition

Muhammad A. Javaid

The ciliary glands (a.k.a. the glands of Moll) are small modified apocrine sweat glands which are situated along the margins of the eyelids in association with the eyelashes. They lie near the hair follicles of the eyelashes and their ducts open either into the eyelash follicles or directly onto the eyelid margin.

Histology

Histologically, the ciliary glands are simple coiled tubular glands lined by secretory epithelial cells that release their products by apocrine secretion, in which the apical portion of the cell cytoplasm is pinched off and shed with the secretion while the remainder of the cell stays intact.

Their ducts are lined by cuboidal epithelium.

Functions

The ciliary glands (glands of Moll) produce a sweat-like secretion that contributes to lubrication and protection of the eyelid margin and eyelashes. Along with other eyelid glands, they help maintain the health of the eyelashes and ocular surface.

Clinical correlate

Clinically, infection of the ciliary glands may lead to formation of an external hordeolum (stye), presenting as a painful localized swelling near the eyelid margin.

Is this definition incorrect or incomplete?

References

  • Standring, S. (Ed.). (2015). Eye (Chapter 42). In Gray's anatomy: The anatomical basis of clinical practice (41st ed., pp. ). Churchill Livingstone.

  • Cochran ML, Lopez MJ, Czyz CN. Anatomy, Head and Neck: Eyelid. [Updated 2023 Aug 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482304/

Gallery