The anatomical relationships between the lower eyelid retractors and the lacrimal caruncle: A microscopic study

Hirohiko Kakizaki*, Yasuhiro Takahashi, Takashi Nakano, Hiroshi Ikeda, Dinesh Selva, Igal Leibovitch

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose To characterize the microscopic relationships between the lower eyelid retractors and the lacrimal caruncle and to define the possible role of the caruncle in the lacrimal drainage process. Design Observational anatomic study. Methods Twelve eyelids with their orbital tissues (6 right and 6 left), fixed in 10% buffered formalin, were studied in 10 Asian cadavers (mean age at death: 77.1 years, age range: 6292 years). An oblique incision in the harvested tissue specimen passed through the lower eyelid retractors and the lacrimal caruncle. The sliced specimens were stained with Masson's trichrome. Results In all specimens, the lower eyelid retractors were shown to have direct connections to the lacrimal caruncle at the level of the medial horn of the lower eyelid retractors and to reach the medial rectus capsulopalpebral fascia. At this level, smooth muscle fibers were abundant both in the lower eyelid retractors and in the medial rectus capsulopalpebral fascia, which were symmetrically situated to the caruncle. Conclusions The lower eyelid retractors have direct connections to the lacrimal caruncle, at a level that is rich in smooth muscle fibers. These anatomic findings may confer functional advantages to the lacrimal drainage system.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)905-908.e1
JournalAmerican Journal of Ophthalmology
Volume150
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2010

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