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AnatomyHead and neckOrbit and contentsLacrimal sac
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AnatomyHead and neckOrbit and contentsLacrimal sac

Lacrimal sac

Author: Edwin Ocran, MBChB, MSc • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: March 05, 2024
Reading time: 2 minutes

Recommended video: Lacrimal apparatus [12:04]
Anatomy of the lacrimal apparatus and its relations with other head structures (12 structures).
Lacrimal sac
Saccus lacrimalis
1/2
Synonyms: Fold of Hasner, Hasner's valve , show more...

The lacrimal sac refers to the closed, dilated upper portion of the nasolacrimal ductwhich drains lacrimal fluid ( tears) into the nasal cavity. It measures approximately 12 mm in length and lies within the lacrimal fossa on the anteromedial wall of the orbit.

More specifically, the lacrimal sac is positioned between the anterior lacrimal crest, which is formed by the frontal process of the maxilla, and the posterior lacrimal crest, which forms part of the lacrimal bone. It is bounded anteriorly by the medial palpebral ligament and posteriorly by the lacrimal portion of the orbicularis oculi muscle.

The lacrimal sac is one of several components of the lacrimal apparatus, which is responsible for the production and drainage of tears. The apparatus includes the lacrimal gland which produces tears, the lacrimal canaliculi that channel tears from the conjunctival sac into the lacrimal sac by capillary action, and the nasolacrimal duct which carries tears from the lacrimal sac into the nasal cavity.

The lacrimal sac has a fibroelastic wall and is lined internally by pseudostratified ciliated epithelium similar to the one found in the nasal cavity.

Terminology English: Lacrimal sac
Synonyms: Fold of Hasner, Hasner's valve, valve of Hasner, lachrymal sac

Latin: Saccus lacrimalis
Definition Dilated superior part of the nasolacrimal duct
Function Collection and drainage of lacrimal fluid (tears)

Learn more about the lacrimal sac in the following study unit:

Eyelids and lacrimal apparatus Explore study unit

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.
  • Drake, R., Vogl, W., Mitchell, A. & Gray, H. (2015). Gray's anatomy for students. Philadelphia, PA: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.
  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Ross, M. H., & Pawlina, W. (2011). Histology : a text and atlas : with correlated cell and molecular biology (6th ed.). Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Health.
  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone

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