Age-related Histological Changes of Human Lacrimal Gland in Koreans

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We examined histologic changes of 20 samples of the lacrimal gland of Koreans which were taken from 10 cadavers. METHODS: We took 20 samples of lacrimal gland from those of 4 men and 6 women and then fixed with 4% formaldehyde. We examined histologic changes of the sections under a light microscope after hematoxylin-eosin stain. RESULTS: In histologic examinations of tissue from 20 lacrimal glands, acini of abnormal lacrimal gland which were seen in the aged showed diffuse acinar atrophy, periductial fibrosis, periacinar fibrosis, and periductal chronic inflammatory cell infiltration which is composed of columnar or cuboidal epithelial cells. Abnormal lacrimal finding was relatively more diffuse with aging but fatty infiltration was present relatively irrespective of age. CONCLUSIONS: In histologic examination of tissues from cadavers, histologic changes of abnormal lacrimal gland with aging in Koreans were acinar atrophy, diffuse periacinar fibrosis, periductal fibrosis, interlobular ductal proliferation, and periductal chronic inflamm- atory cell infiltration.