Lacrimal apparatus

The lacrimal apparatus consists of several glands and excretory tracts. The role of the lacrimal apparatus is to secrete lacrimal fluid into the conjunctival sac, then evacuate it towards the nasal cavity.

The secretions that make up tears are produced by :

• The lacrimal gland

• The accessory lacrimal glands

• The conjunctival glands

• The superficial and deep glands of the third eyelid

• The glandula carunculae lacrimalis

• The tarsal glands

These glands produce different types of secretions that combine to create tear fluid. This is used to hydrate, nourish and clean the exposed anterior surface of the eye, in particular through the blinking of the eyelids.

This fluid passes over the anterior surface of the eyeball and accumulates in the lacrimal pathway, before being brought to the lacrimal lake and then evacuated from the conjunctival sac through :

• The lacrimal punctum

• The lacrimal canaliculi

• The lacrimal sac

• The nasolacrimal duct