Lacrimal apparatus Flashcards
What are the 5 key structures that comprise the lacrimal apparatus?
- lacrimal gland
- lacrimal puncta
- lacrimal canaliculi
- lacrimal sac
- nasolacrimal duct
What is the function of the lacrimal apparatus? 2 key things
Produces tears that moisten the ocular surface, thus:
- preventing desiccation of the delicate ocular cells and tissues
- facilitating non-friction-bearing movements of the lids on the globe
Label the following on the diagram:
- orbital roof (cut)
- orbial portion of lacrimal gland
- palpebral portion of lacrimal gland
- excretory ducts
- levator tendon
- canaliculi (vertical and horizontal portions)
- lacrimal sac
- nasolacrimal duct
- lacrimal fold (mucous membrane)
- inferior concha
- maxillary sinus
How thick is the tear film?
7-9 μm
How many layers is the tear film composed of?
3
What are the 3 layers of the tear film?
- outer oily or lipid layer (from meibomian and Zeis glands)
- middle aqueous layer containing protein, electrolytes and water
- deep hydrophilic mucin layer
What produces the outer oily/ lipid layer of the tear film?
meibomian and Zeis glands
What 3 things is the middle aqueous layer of the tear film composed of?
protein, electrolytes, water
What structures produce the middle aqueous layer of the tear film?
mainly lacrimal glands, also small contributions from conjnctival epithelia and cornea
What structures produce the deep hydrophilic mucin layer of the tear film? 3 key structures
goblet cells and conjunctival epithelial cells, and some from the corneal epithelium
What structures is the deep hydrophilic mucin layer of the tear film associated with?
the microplicae-rich surface of the conjunctival epithelium
What is the size of the lacrimal gland?
20 x 12 x 5 mm, weighs 78mg
What structure divides the lacrimal gland into 2 separate portions?
the lateral horn of the aponeurosis of the levator palpebae superioris
What are the 2 portions of the lacrimal gland and their relative sizes?
- large orbital portion
- small palpebral portion
How are the orbital and palpebral portions of the lacrimal gland connected?
continuous via small isthmus around lateral border of aponeurosis
What is the shape of the orbital portion of the lacrimal gland? Where is it sited?
shaped like an almond with a convex outer surface lodged in the lacrimal fossa, and concave inferior surface moulded around tendons of levator palpebrae superioris and lateral rectus
Where are the convex outer and convave inferior surfaces of the orbital portion of the lacrimal gland located?
- convex outer: lodged in lacrimal fossa
- concave inferior: moulded around tendons of levator palpebrae superioris and lateral rectus
What proportion of the total gland is formed by the palpebral portion?
1/4
Where does the inferior surface of the lacrimal gland lie?
close to the eye - the gland can usually be seen when upper lid is everter
How do the ducts inside the lacrimal gland traverse the orbital and palpebral portions?
- fine interlobular ducts unite to form three to five main excretory ducts in the orbital portion
- the excretory ducts traverse the palpebral portion, joining a further 5-7 from this part of the gland, before entering superotemporal conjunctival fornix
Where do the excretory ducts of the lacrimal gland unite to supply the eye’s surface?
superotemporal conjunctival fornix
Due to the arrangement of the excretory ducts in the lacrimal gland, what will happen if the palpebral portion of the lacrimal gland is removed?
renders the entire gland non-functional
What type of tissue forms the lacrimal gland?
branched tubulocacinar gland of the serous type
What is the arrangement of the tissues of the lacrimal gland?
composed of many lobules separated by interstitial fibrovascular septae that are continuous with the poorly developed capsule
each lobule contains numerous acini separated by loose intralobular connective and adipose tissue
Histologically, which gland do the lacrimal acini resemble?
parotid gland acini
How do the lacrimal acini appear in cross section?
series of rounded profiles