Which gland is primarily targeted by Sjogren's syndrome?

• A. Meibomian glands
• B. Salivary glands
• C. SLE
• D. Myasthenia gravis

Answer: (B)

Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune process that selectively attacks exocrine glands, leading to dryness of mucosal surfaces. The hallmark targets are the salivary glands, whose destruction causes xerostomia, and the lacrimal glands, which cause keratoconjunctivitis sicca. In tissue, you’d see lymphocytic infiltration and loss of secretory acini in the salivary glands, explaining the prominent dry mouth symptoms. That makes the salivary glands the primary gland involved.

Meibomian glands are eyelid glands that contribute to the tear film, but Sjogren’s disease is classically described by its effect on salivary and lacrimal glands rather than these eyelid glands. SLE and myasthenia gravis are autoimmune or neuromuscular conditions that don’t primarily reflect targeted destruction of the salivary glands, which is the key feature of Sjogren’s.