THE LACHRYMAL GLAND 153 



ior extends to the posterior or temporal canthus just under and 

 slightly within the Margo supra orbitalis. At this point the 

 Pars inferior or appendage takes origin and extends downward 

 and behind the bulb, just within the bony orbital wall. It 

 terminates at the level equal to the insertion of the M. obliquus 

 inf. and the inferior margin of the insertion of the M. rectus 

 lateralis. 



The gland is completely enclosed within the orbit by the peri- 

 orbital fascia, a thick fascia which surrounds and encloses all 

 the structures of the orbit and lines the bony orbital wall. The 

 gland itself is embedded and surrounded by a condensed and 

 tough mass of areolar tissue and fat which is a part of this general 

 tissue which fills the interstices between the muscles, nerves, and 

 bulb. Bands of dense tissue derived from the inner surface 

 of the periorbital fascia are fused with the capsule of the gland. 



Vascular supply 



The gland derives its blood supply from the A. lacrimalis 

 which is a branch of the A. ophthalmica. The artery enters 

 the gland from the interior or bulbar surface by numerous 

 branches. A branch of this artery continues and enters the 

 superior palpebral fascia. Corresponding veins leave the gland 

 and are collected into the V. lacrimalis which empties into the 

 V. ophthalmica. 



Nerves 



The innervation is from the N. lacrimalis. Two distinct 

 lachrymal nerves take origin from the N. ophthalmicus near 

 its origin. These nerves follow the general course of the blood 

 vessels (fig. 1.) 



Ductuli excretorii 



From six to eight ducts carry away the secretion of the gland. 

 These ducts leave the lateral margin of the gland, enter the 

 palpebra superior and terminate by piercing the superior con- 

 junctiva about 1.5 cm. internal to the free margin of the superior 



