Tarsal plate

Last revised by Craig Hacking ◉ on 27 Mar 2024

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Manickam A, Hacking C, Bell D, Tarsal plate. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 28 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-60238

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-60238

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/60238?embed_domain=hackmd.io%2F%40yIPUAFeCSL2JsU8smR5nJQ%2Fbnjhjgjghjghjghfavicon.ico

rID:

60238

Article created:

13 May 2018, Appukutty Manickam

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Appukutty Manickam had no recorded disclosures.

View Appukutty Manickam's current disclosures

Last revised:

27 Mar 2024, Craig Hacking ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Craig Hacking had the following disclosures:

Philips Australia, Paid speaker at Philips Spectral CT events (ongoing)

These were assessed during peer review and were determined to not be relevant to the changes that were made.

View Craig Hacking's current disclosures

Revisions:

5 times, by 3 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Head & Neck

Sections:

Anatomy

Tags:

eye, tarsal plate

Synonyms:

Tarsal plates
Superior tarsal plates
Inferior tarsal plates
Superior tarsal plate
Inferior tarsal plate

The tarsal plates of the eye are formed by dense fibrous tissue representing thickened extensions of the orbital septum, moulded to the curvature of the eyeball. Each eye has a superior tarsal plate and an inferior tarsal plate, located in their respective eyelid.

The plates anchor the roots of the eyelashes and contain tarsal (Meibomian) glands. These modified sebaceous glands secrete oil which makes the lid margins waterproof, mitigates against the tears dripping and delays tear evaporation.