tearholes

Tearholes, also known as tear ducts or lacrimal puncta, are the tiny openings located in the inner corners of the eyelids. They are the initial drainage points for tears produced by the lacrimal glands. When a person blinks, tears spread across the surface of the eye, and excess fluid then flows towards the tearholes.

From the tearholes, tears travel through small channels called canaliculi. These canaliculi lead to a larger sac-like structure known as the lacrimal sac. The lacrimal sac is situated in a groove on the side of the nasal bone.

Following the lacrimal sac, the tears descend through the nasolacrimal duct, which is a passage that connects the lacrimal sac to the nasal cavity. This is why crying can sometimes lead to a runny nose, as the excess tears drain into the nose.

The primary function of the tear drainage system, including the tearholes, is to remove excess tears, debris, and foreign particles from the ocular surface, maintaining eye health and lubrication. Blockages or abnormalities in the tearholes or the subsequent drainage pathway can lead to various conditions, such as excessive tearing (epiphora) or infections of the lacrimal sac (dacryocystitis).