Lacrimal caruncle

Lacrimal caruncle
Front of left eye with eyelids separated. Caruncula visible and labeled at left.
Details
Identifiers
Latin	Caruncula lacrimalis
TA	A15.2.07.049
FMA	77672
*Anatomical terminology* [edit on Wikidata]

The caruncula lacrimalis, or lacrimal caruncle, is the small, pink, globular nodule at the inner corner (the medial angle) of the eye. It is made of skin covering sebaceous (oil) and sudoriferous (sweat) glands.

With ocular allergies, the lacrimal caruncle and plica semilunaris may be inflamed and pruritic (itchy) due to histamine release in the tissue and tear film.

When healthcare providers instill ophthalmic medications into the eye, they apply gentle pressure to the Inner Canthus with the eyes closed, over the lacrimal caruncle, to delay drainage of the drug down the punctum, or tear duct opening, thus preventing systemic absorption of the drug.

References

Gray's s227 — The Accessory Organs of the Eye

Additional images

Extrinsic eye muscle. Nerves of orbita. Deep dissection
Small white lesion on lacrimal caruncle, most likely a cyst

The orbit of the eye

Bones	Frontal bone Zygomatic bone Maxillary bone Sphenoid bone Ethmoid bone Palatine bone Lacrimal bone

Muscles	Superior rectus muscle Inferior rectus muscle Lateral rectus muscle Medial rectus muscle Superior oblique muscle Trochlea of superior oblique Inferior oblique muscle

Eyelid	Levator palpebrae superioris muscle Tarsus Medial palpebral ligament Epicanthic fold Meibomian gland Ciliary glands Eyelash Palpebral fissure Canthus Gland of Zeis

Lacrimal apparatus	Krause's glands Lacrimal canaliculi Lacrimal caruncle Lacrimal gland Lacrimal lake Lacrimal papilla Lacrimal punctum Lacrimal sac Nasolacrimal duct

Other	Eyebrow Conjunctiva Plica semilunaris Orbital septum Periorbita Suspensory ligament of eyeball Tenon's capsule

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