Tears drain into which structure immediately after leaving the lacrimal punctum?

Tears drain into which structure immediately after leaving the lacrimal punctum?

• A. Lacrimal canaliculi
• B. Lacrimal sac
• C. Nasolacrimal duct
• D. Inferior nasal meatus

Answer: (A)

Tears are collected right after leaving the punctum by the lacrimal canaliculi. These small channels run medially from the puncta and transport the tears to the lacrimal sac. Only after passing through the canaliculi do tears move on to the lacrimal sac, then the nasolacrimal duct, and finally drain into the inferior nasal meatus. So the canaliculi are the immediate structure tears enter from the punctum.

Tears are collected right after leaving the punctum by the lacrimal canaliculi. These small channels run medially from the puncta and transport the tears to the lacrimal sac. Only after passing through the canaliculi do tears move on to the lacrimal sac, then the nasolacrimal duct, and finally drain into the inferior nasal meatus. So the canaliculi are the immediate structure tears enter from the punctum.