Krause's glands
Encyclopedia
Krause's glands are small, mucous accessory lacrimal glands that are found underneath the eyelid
where the upper and lower conjuctivae meet. Their ducts unite into a rather long sinus
which open into the fornix conjunctiva. There are approximately forty Krause glands in the region of the upper eyelid, and around 6 to 8 in the region of the lower lid. The function of these glands are to produce tears
which are secreted onto the surface of the conjuctiva.
There are rare instances of tumor
s associated with Krause's glands. They usually occur as retention cyst
s in cicatricial conditions of the conjunctiva. Krause's glands are named after German anatomist Karl Friedrich Theodor Krause
(1797–1868).
Eyelid
An eyelid is a thin fold of skin that covers and protects an eye. With the exception of the prepuce and the labia minora, it has the thinnest skin of the whole body. The levator palpebrae superioris muscle retracts the eyelid to "open" the eye. This can be either voluntarily or involuntarily...
where the upper and lower conjuctivae meet. Their ducts unite into a rather long sinus
Sinus (anatomy)
Sinus is Latin for "bay", "pocket", "curve", or "bosom". In anatomy, the term is used in various contexts.A sinus is a sack or cavity in any organ or tissue, or an abnormal cavity or passage caused by the destruction of tissue...
which open into the fornix conjunctiva. There are approximately forty Krause glands in the region of the upper eyelid, and around 6 to 8 in the region of the lower lid. The function of these glands are to produce tears
Tears
Tears are secretions that clean and lubricate the eyes. Lacrimation or lachrymation is the production or shedding of tears....
which are secreted onto the surface of the conjuctiva.
There are rare instances of tumor
Tumor
A tumor or tumour is commonly used as a synonym for a neoplasm that appears enlarged in size. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer...
s associated with Krause's glands. They usually occur as retention cyst
Cyst
A cyst is a closed sac, having a distinct membrane and division on the nearby tissue. It may contain air, fluids, or semi-solid material. A collection of pus is called an abscess, not a cyst. Once formed, a cyst could go away on its own or may have to be removed through surgery.- Locations :* Acne...
s in cicatricial conditions of the conjunctiva. Krause's glands are named after German anatomist Karl Friedrich Theodor Krause
Karl Friedrich Theodor Krause
Karl Friedrich Theodor Krause was a German anatomist who was born in Hannover. In 1818 he received his medical doctorate from the University of Göttingen, and later attained the chair of anatomy in Hannover. His son Wilhelm Krause was also an anatomist.Krause was one of the first anatomists to...
(1797–1868).