Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyFunctionAssociated ConditionsTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Anatomy
Function
Associated Conditions
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
The lacrimal bones are small, flat craniofacial bones located in the eye socket. These rectangular bones consist of two surfaces, one facing the nose, the other facing the eye.
Facial fractures can involve the lacrimal bone. Treatment for lacrimal fractures may simply involve rest, or reconstructive surgery may be needed, depending on the severity.
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The rectangular-shaped lacrimal bones are approximately the size of a small fingernail. Forming part of the eye socket, they have four borders and two surfaces, nasal and orbital. Viewed face on, the lacrimal bones would be hidden behind the nasal bones.
The pair of bones, one in each eye socket, sits at the front of the orbit, near the corner of the eye, closest to the nose. Supporting the eye, the lacrimal bones are the most fragile of the 14 facial bones.
The lacrimal bone is the point of insertion of the orbicularis oculi muscle. It is a circular muscle that both closes the eyelids and helps with tear drainage.
Lacrimal bones are a part of the lacrimal (tear production) system. The lacrimal system contains thelacrimal gland, which produces tears, and the nasolacrimal duct, which drains tears from the eye to the nose.
Lacrimal bones provide structure for the orbital cavity and support the eye. They also provide structural support for the lacrimal system.
The lacrimal bone is extremely fragile and fractures can result from blunt force trauma to the face, especially those to the nose and eye.
Because of their proximity to the nasal cavity and the brain, fractures of the lacrimal bone can obstruct air passage and potentially cause damage to the brain. Sometimes lacrimal bone fractures can tear the lacrimal ducts.
Nasolacrimal ducts, which sit next to the lacrimal bones, can sometimes become blocked.Blocked tear ductsmay be the result of health conditions, trauma, or infection. Symptoms include tearing and discharge from the eye.
Fractures of the lacrimal bone may heal on their own or require surgical intervention.Maxillofacial surgeons, orbital surgeons, or oculoplastic surgeons handle surgical repairs to the face, including those to the lacrimal bones.
If a bone is merely cracked, surgical intervention may not be necessary. If, however, during the trauma, the bones broke and moved, surgical repair is required. Tears to the nasolacrimal duct may need to be surgically repaired as well.
While your bones heal, it will be important to avoid blowing your nose. Nose blowing might spread infection into surrounding tissues from the fractured bone. Adecongestantmay help during this time.
Blocked tear ducts may respond to warm compresses, massage, and antibiotics. If the problem does not respond to at-home treatment, you may require further intervention, like dilation of the nasolacrimal duct or dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR), surgery to make a new tear duct.
Prior to a DCR, you may have a CT scan ormagnetic resonance imaging(MRI) so that your healthcare provider can get a closer look at your nasal passages. DCR may be done underlocalorgeneralanesthesia.
During the surgery, a small incision is made between the eye and the nose and then a small hole is made in the bone beneath, which creates a new passageway. Sometimes this passageway is held open with a stent.
DCRs can be done laparoscopically (with instruments inserted through small incisions) as well.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe lacrimal bones are on both sides of the nose next to the eyes. They are rectangular-shaped bones that are about the size of your pinky fingernail. A flat bone, lacrimal bones have two sides—nasal and orbital.Lacrimal bones support the tear-production system of the eye. The bones protect the lacrimal gland, which makes tears. They also support the orbital cavity that houses the eyeball.It depends on the extent of the fracture. If the bone is just cracked, the fracture will likely be left to heal on its own. If the broken bone has shifted out of place, surgery will be needed to set the bone.
The lacrimal bones are on both sides of the nose next to the eyes. They are rectangular-shaped bones that are about the size of your pinky fingernail. A flat bone, lacrimal bones have two sides—nasal and orbital.
Lacrimal bones support the tear-production system of the eye. The bones protect the lacrimal gland, which makes tears. They also support the orbital cavity that houses the eyeball.
It depends on the extent of the fracture. If the bone is just cracked, the fracture will likely be left to heal on its own. If the broken bone has shifted out of place, surgery will be needed to set the bone.
1 SourceVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Dacryocystorhinostomy: Treatment for a blocked tear duct.
1 Source
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Dacryocystorhinostomy: Treatment for a blocked tear duct.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Dacryocystorhinostomy: Treatment for a blocked tear duct.
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