lacrimal apparatus

Eye's drainage network

The lacrimal apparatus is the system of structures that produces and drains tears.

It includes the lacrimal glands, which secrete tears to lubricate and protect the eye, and the drainage channels—lacrimal ducts, sac, and nasolacrimal duct—that carry excess tears into the nasal cavity.

The surgeon examined her lacrimal apparatus after the injury.

anatomy

tear gland

Eye's lubricant producer

nasolacrimal ductChannel draining tears nasally
punctumLacrimal drainage opening
caruncleSmall fleshy protuberance

conjunctiva · eyelid · orbital · drainage · ophthalmology · secretion · reflex arc · innervation

function

lubrication

Coating to reduce friction

moistureSmall amounts of liquid
wettingAdding moisture to
eye protectionGear shielding your vision

debris removal · antibacterial · blinking

pathology

dry eye

Insufficient tear production

stenosisAbnormal bodily narrowing
conjunctivitisInflammation of eye lining
blepharitisEyelid margin inflammation

inflammation · obstruction · infection

clinical

syringing

Flushing with liquid stream

probingThoroughly investigating something
artificial tearsManufactured eye moisture drops
intubationPlacing airway tube

massage · dilation · irrigation · stent

lacrimal apparatus

tear gland

lubrication

dry eye

syringing

lacrimal apparatus

Opposites

Categories

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