Lacrimal punctum

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Lacrimal punctum
The tarsal glands, etc., seen from the inner surface of the eyelids. (Puncta lacrimalia visible at center left.)
The lacrimal apparatus. Right side.
Gray's	subject #227 1028
Dorlands/Elsevier	p_42/12680460

The lacrimal canaliculi, one in each eyelid, commence at minute orifices, termed puncta lacrimalia (or lacrimal punctum, or lacrimal point), on the summits of the papillae lacrimales, seen on the margins of the lids at the lateral extremity of the lacus lacrimalis. There are two lacrimal puncta in the medial (inside) portion of each eye which in turn connect to the lacrimal sac. Together, they function to reabsorb tears produced by the lacrimal glands. The nasolacrimal canal connects the lacrimal sac to the inner nose. The overproduction of tears overwhelms the reabsorbtion limit and the non-absorbed tears overflow into the nose.

[edit] See also

• Imperforate lacrimal punctum
• Lacrimal apparatus

[edit] External links

• Diagram and discussion at aafp.org

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.