author(s)
S Rajathi, Geetha Ramesh, K Raja, TA Kannan, P Sriram and S Hemalatha

abstract
The aim of this study was to describe the gross anatomy, morphometry, histology and histochemistry of the harderian gland in goats. A total number of six goat heads from three adult male and three adult females with an average age ranged from (7-9) months were collected from the corporation slaughter house, Perambur, Chennai. Right and left eyes were dissected out from six heads and harderian glands were obtained. The harderian gland of both male and female goats was heart shaped with two lobes (dorsal and ventral). The mean size of the gland was recorded as length 11.1 ± 0.11 mm, width 12.1 ±0.11 mm and thickness 5.0 ± 0.08 mm on the right side and length 12.1± 0.11 mm, width 12.5 ± 0.11 mm and thickness 6.0 ± 0.08 mm on the left side. Histologically, the gland was a holocrine compound tubuloalveolar gland. A thin connective tissue capsule surrounded the gland and septa divided the gland into lobes and lobules. The acini were lined with a single layer of columnar cells with small intracytoplasmic eosinophilic vacuoles apically and spherical nucleus with prominent nucleolus basally and were frequently binucleated. Fusiform shaped myoepithelial cells with elongated nucleus were found between the basal surface of the epithelial cell and the basement membrane. Duct system started with intralobular and interlobular duct and was drained with main excretory duct which opened into the inner surface of the nictitating membrane. Intralobular duct was lined with columnar epithelium. They converged into an interlobular duct to join the main collecting duct, with lining epithelium from stratified columnar to stratified squamous near its end. Histochemical studies with PAS stain revealed weak reaction in the capsule and septa and strong reaction in the cytoplasm of the acinar cells.