Lacrimal apparatus

composition

  • lacrimal gland
    • anterior in superolateral region of orbit
    • secretes tear film
    • Ducts open into the superior fornix of the conjunctiva
  • canaliculi
  • sac
    • collects tears, not unlike the gallbladder
  • nasolacrimal duct
    • 17mm.... ok
    • → drains into inferior meatus
    • opening covered by valve of Hasner...

innervation

  • sensory: ophthalmic nerve (v1)
  • parasympathetic:
    • preganglionic origin from CN VII
    • enter greater petrosal nerve → nerve of pterygoid canal
    • joins pterygopalatine ganglion
    • postganglionic neurons join CN V2
    • join with zygomatic nerve → zygomaticotemporal nerve → parasympathetic fibres joining lacrimal nerve
  • sympathetic:
    • postganglionic fibres from superior cervical ganglion travel along internal carotid artery
preganglionic postganglionic
CN VII join CN V2 (maxillary nerve)