meibomian gland: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “meibomian gland” mean?
A sebaceous gland located along the margin of the eyelid that secretes an oily substance to prevent the evaporation of tears and maintain eye lubrication.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sebaceous gland located along the margin of the eyelid that secretes an oily substance to prevent the evaporation of tears and maintain eye lubrication.
Refers specifically to the type of gland involved in the production of the lipid layer of the tear film; dysfunction can lead to conditions like meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) or dry eye syndrome.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical. The eponym is spelled and pronounced the same in both varieties.
Connotations
Purely clinical/anatomical. No regional connotative differences.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, confined to specialist fields.
Grammar
How to Use “meibomian gland” in a Sentence
Suffer from [meibomian gland dysfunction]Treat [blocked meibomian glands]Examine the [patient's meibomian glands]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “meibomian gland” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The meibomian orifice was inflamed.
American English
- The meibomian orifice was inflamed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in medical and biological textbooks, research papers, and lectures on ophthalmology, optometry, or anatomy.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation unless discussing a specific medical diagnosis.
Technical
The primary register. Used in clinical diagnoses, patient reports, scientific literature, and specialist discussions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “meibomian gland”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meibomian gland”
- Mispronunciation: /miːˈboʊ.mi.ən/ instead of /maɪˈboʊ.mi.ən/.
- Misspelling: 'Meibomian' (correct) vs. 'Meiboman' or 'Meibonium' (incorrect).
- Using it as a general term for any eye gland.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Tear ducts (lacrimal canals) drain tears away. Meibomian glands are sebaceous glands within the eyelids that secrete oils onto the eye's surface.
Not when they are healthy. If they become blocked or infected, you may feel a bump or tenderness on the eyelid margin (a chalazion or stye).
Yes, as it is derived from a proper name (Heinrich Meibom). It is typically capitalized in medical literature.
Common treatments include warm compresses, eyelid hygiene (scrubs), manual expression of the glands, and in some cases, prescription medications or in-office procedures like thermal pulsation therapy.
A sebaceous gland located along the margin of the eyelid that secretes an oily substance to prevent the evaporation of tears and maintain eye lubrication.
Meibomian gland is usually technical/medical in register.
Meibomian gland: in British English it is pronounced /maɪˈbəʊ.mi.ən ɡlænd/, and in American English it is pronounced /maɪˈboʊ.mi.ən ɡlænd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'My BEAM of oil' for the eye – Meibomian glands produce an oily beam for the tear film.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE EYE'S LUBRICATION FACTORY: Conceptualizing the glands as small production units secreting essential oil.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of the Meibomian glands?