These rectangular bones consist of two surfaces, one facing the nose, the other facing the eye.
Facial fractures can involve the lacrimal bone.
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.
Supporting the eye, the lacrimal bones are the most fragile of the 14 facial bones.
The orbital surface of the lacrimal bone is divided by a ridge called the posterior lacrimal crest.
A groove to the anterior of the crest is called the lacrimal groove.
A long groove on the nasal surface portion of the nasal surface forms part of the middle nasal meatus.
The nasolacrimal duct (tear duct) sits between the lacrimal andmaxillabones.
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.
Function
Lacrimal bones are a part of the lacrimal (tear production) system.
Lacrimal bones provide structure for the orbital cavity and support the eye.
They also provide structural support for the lacrimal system.
Sometimes lacrimal bone fractures can tear the lacrimal ducts.
Orbital fractures are diagnosed by examiningeye pressure,X-rayimages, and sometimes acomputed tomography(CT scan).
Careful attention must be made to elevated eye pressure, which can lead to nerve damage and blindness.
An ophthalmologist may be involved if the trauma resulted in vision or eye motion damage.
Symptoms include tearing and discharge from the eye.
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.
Lacrimal bones are commonly replaced and re-attached with wire to surrounding bones.
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.
DCR may be done underlocalorgeneralanesthesia.
Sometimes this passageway is held open with a stent.
DCRs can be done laparoscopically (with instruments inserted through small incisions) as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 sidesnasal 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.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Dacryocystorhinostomy: Treatment for a blocked tear duct.
