The Special Senses 



259 



Outside of the eyeball, in the loose, fatty tissue of the 

 orbit, in the upper and outer corner, is the lachrymal or tear 

 gland. It is about the size of a small almond, and from it 

 lead several little canals which open on the inner surface 

 of the upper lid. 



The fluid from the gland flows out by these openings 

 over the eyeball, and is collected at the inner or nasal 

 corner. Here in each lid is 

 a little reddish elevation, or 

 lachrymal caruncle, in which 

 is an opening, communicating 

 with a small canal in the lid 

 which joins the lachrymal sac, 

 lodged between the orbit 

 and the bridge of the nose 



(Fig. 137). 



406, The Nasal Duct. 



From the lachrymal sac there 

 passes a channel, the nasal 

 duct, about one-half of an 

 inch long, leading into the 



lower portion of the nOStril. A, lachrymal gland, the size of a small 



The fluid which has flowed fa^tD^^A^t^,^^ 



Over the eye is drained Off ducts, which form a row of openings 



by these canals into the nose. into the con J unctival fold - 

 During sleep this secretion is much diminished. When the 

 eyes are open the quantity is sufficient to moisten the eye- 

 ball, the excess being carried into the nose so gradually 

 that the attention is not attracted to it. 



The flow of the tears into the nose may be blocked by 

 inflammation of the nasal duct. The fluid collects in the 

 corners of the eyelids and overflows down the cheeks, 

 producing much discomfort. 



FIG. 135. Lachrymal Gland and 

 Ducts. 



