M01.02.036 The Lacrimal Gland

Written by

in

Learning Objective: By the end of this session, the learner should be able to describe the anatomy, structure, drainage pathway, neurovascular supply, and clinical conditions of the lacrimal gland and apply this understanding to basic clinical scenarios.

The lacrimal glands are serous exocrine glands that secrete lacrimal fluid onto the conjunctiva and cornea. This fluid cleans, nourishes, and lubricates the eye and forms tears when produced in excess. This article reviews the location, structure, apparatus, vasculature, innervation, and clinical relevance of the lacrimal gland.

Anatomical Location

The lacrimal gland lies in the superolateral orbit, within the lacrimal fossa of the frontal bone.
Key relations:

  • Superior: Zygomatic process of the frontal bone
  • Anterior: Orbital septum
  • Posterior: Orbital fat
  • Inferolateral: Lateral rectus muscle

Anatomical Structure

The lacrimal gland (≈2 cm) has two parts:

  • Orbital part: Larger; lies above the levator palpebrae superioris
  • Palpebral part: Smaller; it lies on the inner eyelid surface

It is a compound tubuloacinar gland with serous acini producing watery lacrimal fluid.
The excretory ducts empty into the superior conjunctival fornix, and blinking spreads the fluid across the cornea.

Lacrimal Apparatus

The lacrimal apparatus drains lacrimal fluid from the eye. Flow pathway:

  • The lacrimal gland secretes fluid
  • Fluid spreads across the eye to the lacrimal lake (medial canthus)
  • Enters the lacrimal canaliculi
  • Drains into the lacrimal sac
  • Travels through the nasolacrimal duct
  • Opens into the inferior nasal meatus

Vasculature

  • Arterial supply: Lacrimal artery ← , Ophthalmic artery
  • Venous drainage: Superior ophthalmic vein → cavernous sinus
  • Lymph drainage: Superficial parotid lymph nodes → superior deep cervical nodes

Innervation

Sensory:

  • Lacrimal nerve (branch of ophthalmic division of trigeminal nerve – V1)

Autonomic innervation:

Parasympathetic (stimulates secretion):

  • Preganglionic: Greater petrosal nerve (from facial nerve, CN VII) → nerve of pterygoid canal
  • Synapse: Pterygopalatine ganglion
  • Postganglionic: Travel with maxillary nerve → zygomatic nerve → lacrimal nerve

Sympathetic (inhibits secretion):

  • From the superior cervical ganglion → internal carotid plexus → deep petrosal nerve
  • Join parasympathetics in the nerve of the pterygoid canal → reach the gland via the same pathway

Clinical Relevance

Dacryoadenitis: Inflammation of the lacrimal gland.

Acute causes:

  • Viral (mumps, EBV)
  • Bacterial (Staphylococcus, Gonococcus)

Chronic causes:

  • Sarcoidosis
  • Thyroid eye disease (Graves)

Symptoms:

  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Excess tearing
  • Visual disturbance from mass effect

Management depends on the cause: rest/warm compress for viral; treat underlying disease for others.

ACTIVITY:

Discover more from mymedschool.org

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Medical courses around the world

More posts