The lacrimal punctum (plural ''puncta'') or lacrimal point, is a minute opening on the summits of the
lacrimal papilla
The lacrimal papilla is the small rise in the bottom (inferior) and top (superior) eyelid just before it ends at the corner of the eye closest to the nose. At the medial edge of it is the lacrimal punctum, a small hole that lets tears drain into th ...
e, seen on the margins of the
eyelids at the lateral extremity of the
lacrimal lake. There are two lacrimal puncta in the medial (inside) portion of each eyelid. Normally, the puncta dip into the lacrimal lake.
Together, they function to collect tears produced by the
lacrimal glands. The fluid is conveyed through the
lacrimal canaliculi
The lacrimal canaliculi, (sing. canaliculus), are the small channels in each eyelid that drain lacrimal fluid, from the lacrimal puncta to the lacrimal sac. This forms part of the lacrimal apparatus that drains lacrimal fluid from the surface of ...
to the
lacrimal sac, and thence via the
nasolacrimal duct to the
inferior nasal meatus of the
nasal passage
The nasal cavity is a large, air-filled space above and behind the nose in the middle of the face. The nasal septum divides the cavity into two cavities, also known as fossae. Each cavity is the continuation of one of the two nostrils. The nasal c ...
.
Additional images
File:Lacrimal punctum.jpg, A close up of a lacrimal punctum.
File:Lower lacrimal punctum.jpg, Lower lacrimal punctum through slit lamp biomicroscope
See also
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Imperforate lacrimal punctum An imperforate lacrimal punctum is a congenital disorder of dogs involving the lack of an opening to the nasolacrimal duct (tear duct) in the conjunctiva. Dogs normally have two lacrimal puncta, the superior and inferior. This condition can affect ...
*
Lacrimal apparatus
*
Punctal plug
References
External links
Diagram and discussion at aafp.org
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Human eye anatomy