Definition
Our eyes produce a film of fluid throughout the day to prevent the surface of the eye from drying out. This also counteracts soiling of the eyes, since any dirt in the eye can run off with the liquid. As a logical conclusion, a drainage system in the eye, the tear duct, is therefore required. The tear duct is located at the corner of the nose in the right and left eye. It catches the liquid in the eye and creates a connection between the eye and the nose.
Anatomy of the lacrimal duct
The lacrimal apparatus is a complex system of many small units that ensure the production and drainage of the tear fluid. The tear gland is located laterally above the eye at the outer corner of the eye. It produces the tear fluid and then releases it into the respective eye.
From there, the tear fluid is distributed on the eye as an even film of liquid with every blink of the eyelid. In the following, the tears are collected in the tear dots, which are located just before the nasal corner of the eye in the upper and lower eyelid. When the tear film reaches the tear dots, it is transferred to small tear ducts located above and below the inner corner of the eye.
These tear ducts lead the liquid further into the lacrimal sac, which is located at the level of the right or left eye towards the nose. From there, the tear fluid enters the lacrimal duct and is drained into the nose. This is the connection between the eye and the nose. By the way, the tear sac is not the “tear sacs” as they are popularly called. They describe drooping lower eyelids.
Function of the lacrimal duct
As complex as the structure of the lacrimal apparatus is, as versatile is its function. The tears produced ensure through permanent flow that the tear ducts do not clog. On the other hand, the tear ducts help to drain off the fluid produced in the tear glands.
Through the tears themselves, dirt that is in the eye is washed away and passed into the tear ducts. In addition, the tear fluid contains certain substances that kill bacteria and are effective against infections. It also contains nutrients that are important for the cornea and the inside of the eye.
Important nutrients for the eye itself are therefore produced in the tear glands. It has been found that the tears also contain certain growth substances that accelerate the healing process in small wounds in the eye. Incidentally, the liquid film in the eye plays an important role for the visual function: Unevenness in the cornea is compensated and thus an even surface is produced. This is important so that the incoming light waves are refracted evenly. The following topic could also be of interest to you: How does vision work?
