# Lacrimal punctum

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Part of human eye anatomy

Lacrimal punctum Macro image of the right upper lacrimal punctum in a male human eye. Eyeball retained for scale. Details Identifiers Latin puncta lacrimalia TA98 A15.2.07.065 TA2 6854 FMA 59365 Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

The **lacrimal punctum** (pl.: **puncta**) or **lacrimal point** is a minute opening on the summits of the [lacrimal papillae](/source/Lacrimal_papilla), seen on the margins of the [eyelids](/source/Eyelid) at the lateral extremity of the [lacrimal lake](/source/Lacrimal_lake). There are two lacrimal puncta in the medial (inside) portion of each eyelid. Normally, the puncta dip into the lacrimal lake.

Together, they function to collect tears produced by the [lacrimal glands](/source/Lacrimal_gland). The fluid is conveyed through the [lacrimal canaliculi](/source/Lacrimal_canaliculi) to the [lacrimal sac](/source/Lacrimal_sac), and thence via the [nasolacrimal duct](/source/Nasolacrimal_duct) to the [inferior nasal meatus](/source/Nasal_meatus) of the [nasal passage](/source/Nasal_passage).

The size of the lacrimal punctum varies widely, but it is generally accepted that the lower punctum is wider than the upper one.[1] Additionally, studies have shown that males have wider puncta than females, and among females, those of premenopausal age have wider lacrimal puncta than those of postmenopausal age.[2][3]

## Clinical significance

It is believed that there is a direct correlation between lacrimal punctum size and incidence of dry eyes.[4] In patients with [dry eye syndrome](/source/Dry_eye_syndrome), the lacrimal puncta can be blocked using [punctal plugs](/source/Punctal_plugs), in an effort to conserve tears and keep the eyes moist.

## Additional images

		- The [tarsal glands](/source/Tarsal_glands), etc., seen from the inner surface of the [eyelids](/source/Eyelids). (Puncta lacrimalia visible at center left.)

		- The [lacrimal apparatus](/source/Lacrimal_apparatus). Right side. Note outdated terminology: The "Lacrimal ducts" in Gray's are now called "Lacrimal canals".

		- A close up of a lacrimal punctum.

		- Lower lacrimal punctum through slit lamp biomicroscope

		- All four lacrimal puncta in the human body, labeled and arranged in a grid

## See also

- [Imperforate lacrimal punctum](/source/Imperforate_lacrimal_punctum)

- [Lacrimal apparatus](/source/Lacrimal_apparatus)

- [Punctal plug](/source/Punctal_plug)

## References

*This article incorporates text in the [public domain](/source/Public_domain) from [page 1028](https://archive.org/stream/anatomyofhumanbo1918gray#page/1028/mode/2up) of the 20th edition of* [Gray's Anatomy](/source/Gray's_Anatomy) *(1918)*

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Carter, Keith D.; Nelson, Christine C.; Martonyi, Csaba L. (1988). ["Size Variation of the Lacrimal Punctum in Adults"](http://journals.lww.com/00002341-198804040-00006). *Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery*. **4** (4): 231–234. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1097/00002341-198804040-00006](https://doi.org/10.1097%2F00002341-198804040-00006). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0740-9303](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0740-9303). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [3154744](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3154744).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Naz, Hasan; Tara, Shruthi; Reddy, Jagadeesh K; Prabu, V Rajesh; Thulasidas, Mithun (February 2025). ["Morphological analysis of lacrimal punctum using anterior segment optical coherence tomography in different age groups"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11991543). *Indian Journal of Ophthalmology*. **73** (2): 205–209. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.4103/IJO.IJO_1801_24](https://doi.org/10.4103%2FIJO.IJO_1801_24). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0301-4738](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0301-4738). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [11991543](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11991543). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [39853140](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39853140).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Hu, Jun; Xiang, Nan; Li, Gui gang; Luo, Ban; Zhang, Yuan; Zhu, Yingting; Liu, Rong (2021-04-23). ["Imaging and anatomical parameters of the lacrimal punctum and vertical canaliculus using optical coherence tomography"](https://www.medsci.org/v18p2493.htm). *International Journal of Medical Sciences*. **18** (12): 2493–2499. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.7150/ijms.58291](https://doi.org/10.7150%2Fijms.58291). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1449-1907](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1449-1907). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [8176177](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8176177). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [34104080](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34104080).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Chen, Ming; Hedges, Jerris R.; Choi, So Yung; Liu, Keke; Lin, Szu Yuan (April 2022). ["Can lacrimal punctum size link to the severity of dry eye disease?"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9262022). *Taiwan Journal of Ophthalmology*. **12** (2): 198–201. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.4103/tjo.tjo_15_21](https://doi.org/10.4103%2Ftjo.tjo_15_21). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [2211-5056](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2211-5056). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [9262022](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9262022). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [35813802](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35813802).

## External links

- [Diagram and discussion at aafp.org](http://www.aafp.org/afp/980600ap/carter.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20111020174920/http://www.aafp.org/afp/980600ap/carter.html) 2011-10-20 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

v t e The orbit of the eye Bones Frontal bone Zygomatic bone Maxillary bone Sphenoid bone Ethmoid bone Palatine bone Lacrimal bone Muscles Superior rectus muscle Inferior rectus muscle Lateral rectus muscle Medial rectus muscle Superior oblique muscle Trochlea of superior oblique Inferior oblique muscle Eyelid Levator palpebrae superioris muscle Tarsus Medial palpebral ligament Epicanthic fold Meibomian gland Ciliary glands Eyelash Palpebral fissure Canthus Gland of Zeis Lacrimal apparatus Lacrimal canaliculi Lacrimal caruncle Lacrimal gland Accessory lacrimal glands Krause's glands Ciaccio's glands Lacrimal lake Lacrimal papilla Lacrimal punctum Lacrimal sac Nasolacrimal duct Other Eyebrow Unibrow Conjunctiva Plica semilunaris Orbital septum Periorbita Suspensory ligament of eyeball Tenon's capsule

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Lacrimal punctum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lacrimal_punctum) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lacrimal_punctum?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.