Where do tears drain after leaving the lacrimal punctum?

Where do tears drain after leaving the lacrimal punctum?

• A. Lacrimal sac
• B. Lacrimal canaliculi
• C. Nasolacrimal duct
• D. Lacrimal gland

Answer: (B)

Tears leave the puncta into the lacrimal canaliculi, the tiny channels on the inner (medial) edge of the eyelids. These canaliculi carry tears medially toward the lacrimal sac, from which tears then pass into the nasolacrimal duct and eventually into the nasal cavity. The canaliculi are the immediate drainage pathway after leaving the puncta, which is why they’re the best answer. The lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct come later in the drainage route, and the lacrimal gland is where tears are produced, not where they drain from the puncta.

Tears leave the puncta into the lacrimal canaliculi, the tiny channels on the inner (medial) edge of the eyelids. These canaliculi carry tears medially toward the lacrimal sac, from which tears then pass into the nasolacrimal duct and eventually into the nasal cavity. The canaliculi are the immediate drainage pathway after leaving the puncta, which is why they’re the best answer. The lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct come later in the drainage route, and the lacrimal gland is where tears are produced, not where they drain from the puncta.