The tarsal plate and its tarsal glands (200X)

The red tissue seen here is facing the eyeball is called the tarsal plate. It os mostly comprised of connective tissue and collagen (stains red). The eye (not seen here) is situated at the bottom where you can see the white space. The epithelium covering the tarsal plate facing the eyeball is of the low, stratified columnar type. Within the tarsal plate, there are tarsal glands. These glands are sebaceous glands that produce meibum, an oily substance that prevents evaporation of the eye's tear film.