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
The lacrimal punctum (plural ''puncta'') or lacrimal point, is a minute opening on the summits of the lacrimal papillae, seen on the margins of the eyelids at the lateral extremity of the lacrimal lake. There are two lacrimal puncta in the medial ( ...
, a small hole that lets tears drain into the inside of the nose 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 ...
.
In medical terms, the lacrimal papilla is a small conical elevation on the margin of each
eyelid
An eyelid is a thin fold of skin that covers and protects an eye. The levator palpebrae superioris muscle retracts the eyelid, exposing the cornea to the outside, giving vision. This can be either voluntarily or involuntarily. The human eyel ...
at the basal angles of the
lacrimal lake
The lacrimal lake is the pool of tears in the lower conjunctival cul-de-sac, which drains into the opening of the tear drainage system (the ''puncta lacrimalia''). The volume of the lacrimal lake has been estimated to be between 7 and 10 μL. ...
. Its apex is pierced by a small orifice, the
lacrimal punctum
The lacrimal punctum (plural ''puncta'') or lacrimal point, is a minute opening on the summits of the lacrimal papillae, seen on the margins of the eyelids at the lateral extremity of the lacrimal lake. There are two lacrimal puncta in the medial ( ...
, the commencement of 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 ...
.
It is otherwise known commonly as simply the 'tear duct'.
See also
*
Papilla (disambiguation)
Papilla (Latin, 'nipple') or papillae may refer to:
In animals
* Papilla (fish anatomy), in the mouth of fish
* Basilar papilla, a sensory organ of lizards, amphibians and fish
* Dental papilla, in a developing tooth
* Dermal papillae, part of ...
References
External links
Description at uams.edu
Human eye anatomy
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