Fig. 4

The meibomian gland at one month postnatal A General view of the well-developed MG showing its acini (asterisk), connecting ductules (arrow) and central duct (CD) that the sharp spurs (arrowhead) are found at the entrance of the connecting ductules to the central duct (Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E)). B The single ductules are connected with one or more acini (arrowhead). The connecting ductules and central duct are lined by keratinizing layer (arrows) (Crossmon’s Trichrome). C A sharp transition is observed from the basal cells (red arrow) to the cuboidal cells of the connecting ductules (arrowhead). The central duct is lined by 2 to 3 layers of cuboidal cells (arrow) (H&E). D The excretory duct forms the ampulla (arrowhead) before opening by its orifice at the free margin of the eyelid (arrow) (Picro Sirius red). E Showing the maturation of the meibocytes from basal cell (arrowhead), 1. differentiating cell, 2. mature cell, 3. Hyper-mature cells that appear shrinkage with a pyknotic nucleus, 4. The cells near the connecting ductules (arrow) are filled with the secretory meibum (H&E). F The semithin section in the acini shows the meibocytes filled with numerous lipid vacuoles (arrowhead) and the myoblast presents between the cells (arrow) (toluidine blue)