Lesson Summary

This overview covers the anatomy of the punctum and lacrimal drainage system, which is essential for understanding tear drainage and related clinical procedures.

Key anatomical features include:

• Puncta: Small openings located on the medial side of the eyelid margins, consisting of an upper and a lower punctum.
• Canaliculi: Each punctum drains into its respective canaliculus. Tears flow through:
  • Vertical canaliculi (~2 mm length)
  • Horizontal canaliculi (longer in length)
• Common canaliculus: The vertical and horizontal canaliculi join here before tears continue through the nasal lacrimal drainage system.

Clinical insight:

• Approximately 70% of tear drainage occurs through the inferior punctum.
• This makes the inferior punctum the primary target for interventions such as punctal occlusion or the placement of punctal plugs.