{{Short description|Part of human eye anatomy}} {{Infobox anatomy | Name = Lacrimal punctum | Latin = puncta lacrimalia | Image = Right upper lacrimal punctum encircled.png | Caption = Macro image of the right upper lacrimal punctum in a male [[human eye]]. [[Eyeball]] retained for scale. | System = | Precursor = }} The '''lacrimal punctum''' ({{plural form}}: '''puncta''') or '''lacrimal point''' is a minute opening on the summits of the [[lacrimal papilla]]e, seen on the margins of the [[eyelid]]s at the lateral extremity of the [[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 gland]]s. The fluid is conveyed through the [[lacrimal canaliculi]] to the [[lacrimal sac]], and thence via the [[nasolacrimal duct]] to the [[nasal meatus|inferior nasal meatus]] of the [[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.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Carter |first1=Keith D. |last2=Nelson |first2=Christine C. |last3=Martonyi |first3=Csaba L. |date=1988 |title=Size Variation of the Lacrimal Punctum in Adults |url=http://journals.lww.com/00002341-198804040-00006 |journal=Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery |language=en |volume=4 |issue=4 |pages=231–234 |doi=10.1097/00002341-198804040-00006 |pmid=3154744 |issn=0740-9303|url-access=subscription }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Naz |first1=Hasan |last2=Tara |first2=Shruthi |last3=Reddy |first3=Jagadeesh K |last4=Prabu |first4=V Rajesh |last5=Thulasidas |first5=Mithun |date=February 2025 |title=Morphological analysis of lacrimal punctum using anterior segment optical coherence tomography in different age groups |journal=Indian Journal of Ophthalmology |language=en |volume=73 |issue=2 |pages=205–209 |doi=10.4103/IJO.IJO_1801_24 |doi-access=free |issn=0301-4738 |pmc=11991543 |pmid=39853140}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hu |first1=Jun |last2=Xiang |first2=Nan |last3=Li |first3=Gui gang |last4=Luo |first4=Ban |last5=Zhang |first5=Yuan |last6=Zhu |first6=Yingting |last7=Liu |first7=Rong |date=2021-04-23 |title=Imaging and anatomical parameters of the lacrimal punctum and vertical canaliculus using optical coherence tomography |url=https://www.medsci.org/v18p2493.htm |journal=International Journal of Medical Sciences |language=en |volume=18 |issue=12 |pages=2493–2499 |doi=10.7150/ijms.58291 |issn=1449-1907 |pmc=8176177 |pmid=34104080}}</ref>
==Clinical significance==
It is believed that there is a direct correlation between lacrimal punctum size and incidence of dry eyes.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Chen |first1=Ming |last2=Hedges |first2=Jerris R. |last3=Choi |first3=So Yung |last4=Liu |first4=Keke |last5=Lin |first5=Szu Yuan |date=April 2022 |title=Can lacrimal punctum size link to the severity of dry eye disease? |journal=Taiwan Journal of Ophthalmology |language=en |volume=12 |issue=2 |pages=198–201 |doi=10.4103/tjo.tjo_15_21 |doi-access=free |issn=2211-5056 |pmc=9262022 |pmid=35813802}}</ref> In patients with [[dry eye syndrome]], the lacrimal puncta can be blocked using [[punctal plugs]], in an effort to conserve tears and keep the eyes moist.
==Additional images== <gallery> File:Gray895.png|The [[tarsal glands]], etc., seen from the inner surface of the [[eyelids]]. (Puncta lacrimalia visible at center left.) File:Gray896.png|The [[lacrimal apparatus]]. Right side. Note outdated terminology: The "Lacrimal ducts" in Gray's are now called "Lacrimal canals". File:Lacrimal punctum.jpg|A close up of a lacrimal punctum. File:Lower lacrimal punctum.jpg|Lower lacrimal punctum through slit lamp biomicroscope File:Lacrimal puncta grid.png|All four lacrimal puncta in the human body, labeled and arranged in a grid </gallery>
==See also== *[[Imperforate lacrimal punctum]] *[[Lacrimal apparatus]] *[[Punctal plug]]
==References== {{Gray's}} <references/>
==External links== * [http://www.aafp.org/afp/980600ap/carter.html Diagram and discussion at aafp.org] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020174920/http://www.aafp.org/afp/980600ap/carter.html |date=2011-10-20 }}
{{Accessory organs of the eye}} {{Portal bar|Anatomy}} {{Authority control}}
[[Category:Human eye anatomy]]