Lacrimal gland
Glandula lacrimalis
Definition
The lacrimal gland is the main gland involved in the production of tear fluid. It is located in the orbit, dorso-lateral to the eyeball and its associated muscles. It is a lobular gland, flattened on the eyeball, and reddish-yellow in color.
It is composed of acinar or tubuloacinar glandular lobules of the serous type in equines, ruminants, cats and rabbits, or seromucous in pigs and dogs.
Its excretory ducts open into the superior conjunctival fornix, where they carry the lacrimal secretion into the conjunctival sac.
References
Barone R, Simoens P. Anatomie comparée des mammifères domestiques, Tome 7, Neurologie II, Vigot, Paris, 2010.
