Lacrimal papilla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lacrimal papilla |
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| Front of left eye with eyelids separated to show medial canthus. (Lacrimal papilla not labeled, but region visible.) | |
| Latin | papilla lacrimalis |
The lacrimal papilla is a small bump found on your top and bottom eyelids. You can see it right where your eyelids meet near your nose. It's a tiny, raised area that plays an important role in how your tears drain away.
On this small bump, there's a tiny opening called the lacrimal punctum. This little hole is the start of your tear drainage system. It helps your tears flow from the surface of your eye into small tubes called lacrimal canaliculi. These tubes then carry the tears into your nose.
Many people simply call this whole area the 'tear duct'. It's a key part of keeping your eyes moist and healthy!
How Your Tears Drain
Your eyes are always making tears to keep them clean and wet. When you blink, tears spread across your eye. After they've done their job, they need a way to leave. That's where the lacrimal papilla and punctum come in.
The lacrimal punctum acts like a tiny drain. Tears collect in the corner of your eye closest to your nose. Then, they enter this small hole. From there, they travel through the lacrimal canaliculi, which are like tiny pipes. These pipes lead the tears down into your nasal cavity, which is the space inside your nose. This is why your nose might run a little when you cry!
See also
- Papilla (disambiguation)
