title: Investigations on the conjunctival goblet cells and the characteristics of the glands associated with the eye in chinchillas (Chinchilla Laniger).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the density and distribution of conjunctival goblet cells (GC) and study the anatomy and microscopic characteristics of glands associated with the eye in chinchillas (Chinchilla Laniger).
  
  
  METHODS
  12 chinchillas were included in the study. Conjunctiva (divided into four regions), eyelids, and glands were embedded in paraffin wax, sectioned, stained, and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Highest GC densities were found in the palpebral region of the nasal and temporal conjunctiva of both eyelids (GC index: 25.1-18.2%), and lowest densities, in the bulbar and marginal region of the nasal and temporal conjunctiva of both eyelids (GC index: 1.5-0.0%). Meibomian glands extend along the entire length of both eyelids, and the whole glandular complex broadens toward the temporal canthus. This is macroscopically visible through the conjunctiva. The openings of the Meibomian glands are macroscopically not discernible. The light pink, smooth, and crescent-shaped lacrimal gland lies next to the aforementioned broadened part of the Meibomian glands in the temporal canthus. The whitish, 0.9-cm-long, smooth Harderian gland is firmly attached to the posterior part of the globe and extends nasally from the optic nerve to the equator. Furthermore, chinchillas possess two lacrimal puncta, situated on the inner conjunctival surface of both eyelids near the medial canthus. A pigmented lacrimal canaliculus originates from each punctum. The vestigial nictitating membrane is supported by a hyaline cartilage and is pigmented at its free margin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chinchillas possess a Harderian gland, a lacrimal gland, and Meibomian glands. The GC density in the nasal and temporal palpebral conjunctiva is higher than in guinea pigs.
authors.affiliation: Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria. susanne.voigt@vetmeduni.ac.at
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Voigt
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fuchs-Baumgartinger
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Egerbacher
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tichy
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002682:Chinchilla / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000166:cytology*; D005123:Eye / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000166:cytology; D020397:Goblet Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D006243:Harderian Gland / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D008537:Meibomian Glands / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology