Tränenapparates

Tränenapparates refers to the system responsible for the production, distribution, and drainage of tears in the eye. This complex apparatus ensures that the eye's surface remains lubricated, clean, and protected. The primary components include the lacrimal glands, the lacrimal puncta, the lacrimal canaliculi, the lacrimal sac, and the nasolacrimal duct.

The lacrimal glands, located above the outer corner of each eye, are the main producers of tears. These glands secrete a fluid that contains water, salts, antibodies, and enzymes. Tears serve several crucial functions: they moisten the cornea, preventing dryness and irritation; they wash away foreign particles and debris; and they contain lysozyme, an enzyme that helps fight off bacterial infections.

Tears are distributed across the eye's surface by blinking. Excess tears then collect at the inner corner of the eye and enter the lacrimal puncta, small openings in the upper and lower eyelids. From the puncta, the tears flow through the lacrimal canaliculi into the lacrimal sac, a small reservoir located in a groove on the side of the nose.

Finally, the tears drain from the lacrimal sac through the nasolacrimal duct, which empties into the nasal cavity. This connection explains why crying often leads to a runny nose, as the excess tears drain into the nose. Disruptions to any part of the Tränenapparates can lead to various eye conditions, such as dry eye syndrome or excessive tearing.