Embryologic and Fetal Development of the Eyelid and the Lacrimal Drainage System

Abstract

The embryological and fetal morphogenesis of the eyelids and lacrimal drainage system is multifactorial and complex. This protracted process begins in the 5th week of prenatal life and involves a successive series of subtle and tightly regulated morphogenetic events. Major milestones of the embryological and fetal development of the eyelids include the beginning of eyelid formation during the 6th week, eyelid fusion by the 8th week, and the development of eyelid structures beginning in the 9th week (immediately following eyelid fusion), with progression until eyelid separation by the 24th week. After eyelid separation, the eyelids begin to assume their newly developed shape. Around the 32nd week, eyelids are almost fully developed and fully separated but still visibly closed. Key development steps of the lacrimal drainage system include formation of the lacrimal lamina (the primordium of the future lacrimal system) and the lacrimal cord (the primordium of the lacrimal canaliculi) in the 7th week, with canalization starting from the 10th week. During the 10th week, the excretory lacrimal system displays a lumen with a true lacrimal duct that can be distinguished. The epithelium of the lacrimal canaliculi is in contact with the palpebral conjunctival epithelium. The two epithelia form a continuous epithelial lamina. The caudal extreme of the lacrimal duct and the inferior meatal lamina join and the latter begins to cavitate. Understanding this multidimensional process of development in prenatal life, as well as identifying and linking signaling cascades and regulatory genes to existing diseases, may pave the way for developing minimally invasive interventions and scar reducing surgical methods, controlling the spread of malignancies, and the use of progenitor/stem cell and even regenerative therapy.