Tear duct

Tear duct or nasolacrimal duct is a part of the human eye that is responsible for draining the tears and other secretions from the eye into the nasal cavity. It is a small tube that extends from the inner corner of the eye to the nasal cavity.

Anatomy

The tear duct begins at the lacrimal punctum, a small hole located at the inner corner of the upper and lower eyelids. From there, it extends into the lacrimal sac, which is a small pouch that collects the tears. The lacrimal sac then drains into the nasolacrimal duct, which extends down into the nasal cavity.

Function

The primary function of the tear duct is to drain the tears and other secretions from the eye into the nasal cavity. This helps to keep the eye moist and clean, and also helps to protect the eye from infection and other harmful substances.

Disorders

There are several disorders that can affect the tear duct, including dacryocystitis, which is an infection of the lacrimal sac, and nasolacrimal duct obstruction, which is a blockage of the tear duct. These disorders can cause symptoms such as excessive tearing, redness, and swelling of the eye, and may require treatment with antibiotics or surgery.

Treatment

Treatment for tear duct disorders depends on the cause and severity of the symptoms. In some cases, simple measures such as warm compresses and massage may be sufficient. In other cases, antibiotics or surgery may be necessary.

See also

• Lacrimal apparatus
• Dacryocystitis
• Nasolacrimal duct obstruction

Tear duct Resources
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