Lacrimal punctum - Eye - Orbital cavity - e-Anatomy
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Lacrimal punctum

Punctum lacrimale

Definition

Muhammad A. Javaid

The lacrimal punctum is a small opening located on the summit of the lacrimal papilla at the medial end of each eyelid margin (i.e. near the medial canthus). These tiny openings serve as entry points to the lacrimal drainage system.

Function

  • Drain tears from the lacrimal lake into the lacrimal canaliculi

  • Essential for normal tear drainage from the ocular surface

Clinical correlates

  • Punctal stenosis can impair tear drainage causing epiphora.

  • Lacrimal puncta serve as important landmarks in lacrimal syringing and dacryocystography

Is this definition incorrect or incomplete?

References

  • TeachMeAnatomy (n.d.) Lacrimal gland. Available at: TeachMeAnatomy (Accessed: 13 May 2026).

  • Standring, S. (Ed.). (2015). Eye (Chapter 42). In Gray's anatomy: The anatomical basis of clinical practice (41st ed., pp. ). Churchill Livingstone.

  • Medscape (n.d.) Lacrimal system anatomy. Available at: Medscape (Accessed: 13 May 2026).

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