The lacrimal sac is the upper, dilated end of the tear drainage system, about 12-15 mm long. It sits in the lacrimal fossa formed by the lacrimal bone and the frontal process of the maxilla, behind the medial palpebral ligament. Below, it continues as the nasolacrimal duct into the nose.
| Location | Lacrimal fossa on the medial orbital wall, behind the medial palpebral ligament |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Infratrochlear nerve (CN V1) |
| Blood Supply | Angular artery; Medial palpebral arteries; Branches of the sphenopalatine artery |
Collects tears from the canaliculi and passes them down into the nasolacrimal duct.
Pressing over the medial canthus can express mucus or pus from the puncta when the duct below is blocked. Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) connects the sac directly to the nasal cavity to bypass an obstructed nasolacrimal duct. A mass above the medial palpebral ligament suggests a cause other than a simple sac swelling, such as a tumour.
Infection of the lacrimal sac behind a blocked nasolacrimal duct, causing a painful red swelling at the inner corner of the eye. It may need antibiotics and later surgery.
A bluish swelling of the lacrimal sac at birth from blockage at both ends of the drainage system; it can become infected.
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