Anatomy and Histopathology of the Human Lacrimal Gland

PURPOSE: To review the anatomy and histopathologic changes of the human main lacrimal gland. METHODS: Samples of lacrimal gland including palpebral lobes and orbital lobes were taken in autopsies, and the relationship between histopathologic changes and age and sex, as well as histopathologic differences between palpebral and orbital lobes of the lacrimal gland, were studied using light microscopy. RESULTS: Various histopathologic changes were observed in the human main lacrimal gland as follows: acinar atrophy; periacinar fibrosis; periductal fibrosis; interlobular ductal dilatation; interlobular ductal proliferation; lymphocytic infiltration; and fatty infiltration. Several histopathologic differences exist between the palpebral and orbital lobes. There were statistically significant correlations between age and diffuse fibrosis, diffuse atrophy, and periductal fibrosis in the orbital lobes of women. Diffuse fibrosis and diffuse atrophy in orbital lobes were more frequently observed in women than in men. CONCLUSION: It is speculated that periductal fibrosis is related to a decrease of tear flow with age and that interlobular ductal dilatation in palpebral lobes may be caused by stenosis of the excretory duct in conjunctival fornix. However, the mechanisms of these histopathologic changes in the human main lacrimal gland are not yet clear.