- Nasolacrimal duct
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Nasolacrimal duct The lacrimal apparatus. Right side. Outline of bones of face, showing position of air sinuses. Latin d. nasolacrimalis Gray's subject #227 1029 MeSH Nasolacrimal+Duct The nasolacrimal duct (sometimes called the tear duct) carries tears from the lacrimal sac into the nasal cavity. Excess tears flow through nasolacrimal duct which drains into the inferior nasal meatus. This is the reason the nose starts to run when a person is crying or has watery eyes from an allergy, and why one can sometimes taste eye drops.
Like the lacrimal sac, the duct is lined by stratified columnar epithelium containing mucus-secreting goblet cells, and is surrounded by connective tissue.
Obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct, known as dacryostenosis,[1] leads to the excess overflow of tears called epiphora. A congenital obstruction can cause cystic expansion of the duct and is called a dacrocystocele or Timo cyst. Persons with dry eye conditions can be fitted with punctal plugs that seal the ducts to limit the amount of fluid drainage and retain moisture.
The canal containing the nasolacrimal duct is called the nasolacrimal canal.
Contents
Additional images
See also
- Congenital lacrimal duct obstruction
- Dacrocystocele
- Lacrimal apparatus
External links
- SUNY Figs 33:04-09
- lesson9 at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University)
References
- ^ Blocked tear ducts in infants, Pediatric Views, June 2006 http://www.childrenshospital.org/views/june06/blocked_tear_ducts.html
Head and neck anatomy – accessory visual structures (TA 15.2.7, TH H3.11.08.6, GA 10.1021) Eyelid Tarsus (Meibomian pelicle) • Medial palpebral ligament • Epicanthic fold • Meibomian gland • Ciliary glands • Eyelash
Gland of ZeisLacrimal apparatus Lacrimal lake • Lacrimal gland • Lacrimal canaliculi • Lacrimal punctum • Lacrimal papilla • Nasolacrimal duct • Lacrimal sac • Lacrimal caruncle • Krause's glandsOther Periorbita • Orbital septum • Tenon's capsule • Suspensory ligament of eyeball
Conjunctiva (Plica semilunaris)
Extraocular muscles (Trochlea of superior oblique)M: EYE
anat(g/a/p)/phys/devp/prot
noco/cong/tumr, epon
proc, drug(S1A/1E/1F/1L)
Categories:- Eye anatomy
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