gland, Meibomian

gland, Meibomian One of the small glands in the eyelids that make a lubricant called sebum that is discharged through tiny openings in the edges of the lids. The Meibomian glands can become inflamed, a condition termed meibomianitis or meibomitis. Chronic inflammation leads to cysts of the Meibomian glands, called chalazions. Also known as the palpebral gland, tarsal gland, and tarsoconjunctival gland. See also cyst, Meibomian; sebum.