Medicine:Lacrimal punctum

Short description: Part of human eye anatomy

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. Note outdated terminology: The "Lacrimal ducts" in Gray's are now called "Lacrimal canals".
Details
Identifiers
Latin	puncta lacrimalia
Anatomical terminology

The lacrimal punctum (pl.: 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 (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 to the lacrimal sac, and thence via the nasolacrimal duct to the inferior nasal meatus of the nasal passage.

Additional images

• 

  A close up of a lacrimal punctum.

• 

  Lower lacrimal punctum through slit lamp biomicroscope

See also

• Imperforate lacrimal punctum
• Lacrimal apparatus
• Punctal plug

External links

• Diagram and discussion at aafp.org