title: Anatomical analysis of the human lacrimal drainage pathway under an operating microscope.
abstract: Mesoscopic structures of the lacrimal drainage pathway were observed under an operating microscope in six cases of 5 adult cadavers. In all these cases the upper and lower canaliculi fused to form the common canaliculus. Two cases with a large common canaliculus showed large projections of mucosa which reduced the inner space of the common canaliculus. The remaining 4 cases with a small common canaliculus did not show any projections. These findings indicate that the human lacrimal system can function physiologically through a small narrow space of the common canaliculus.
authors.affiliation: Kurihashi Eye Clinic, Hamamatsu, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kurihashi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Imada
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yamashita
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery; D008853:Microscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery