Tränenpuncta

Tränenpuncta are small openings located in the inner corner of each eyelid, near the nose. There are two puncta, one on the upper eyelid and one on the lower eyelid. These puncta are the entry points for the tear drainage system, which is responsible for removing excess tears from the ocular surface. When a person blinks, tears are spread across the eye and then channeled towards the puncta.

Once tears enter the puncta, they flow into tiny tubes called canaliculi. The superior and inferior canaliculi from each eye merge to form a common canaliculus, which then empties into the lacrimal sac. The lacrimal sac is a small reservoir located in the medial part of the orbit. From the lacrimal sac, tears descend through the nasolacrimal duct, a passage that opens into the nasal cavity. This is why crying often leads to a runny nose. The puncta are essential for maintaining a clear visual field by preventing tear overflow and allowing for proper lubrication of the eye. Blockage or dysfunction of the puncta can lead to excessive tearing (epiphora) or, conversely, dry eyes if the drainage pathway is compromised.