Canine lacrimal and third eyelid superficial glands’ macroscopic and morphometric characteristics

The lacrimal and third eyelid superficial glands produce the aqueous component of the preocular tear film. In this research, morphologic and morphometric assessments of the parenchyma and stroma of both lacrimal glands of healthy adult mongrel dogs were performed. Both lacrimal and third eyelid glands of fourteen dogs were collected, summing fiftysix samples. The macroscopic and morphometric data were statistically analyzed, according to the glandular type (lacrimal and third eyelid superficial glands) and sexual dimorphism (male or female). The lacrimal glands were significantly larger and longer than the superficial glands of the third eyelid. Expressive morphometric differences of interlobular duct, lymphocytic infiltration, interlobular vessels and secretory parenchyma between the two glandular types were encountered. The lacrimal glands from the male subjects were significantly larger than those from female ones, as well as the superficial glands of the third eyelid were thicker. The higher lymphocyte infiltration and poorer secretor parenchyma in female dogs may be one of the reasons for the higher incidence of keratoconjunctiviti sicca (KCS) in such canine population.