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Lacrimal caruncle
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Front of left eye with eyelids separated. Caruncula visible and labeled at left.
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Details
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Latin
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Caruncula lacrimalis
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Identifiers
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Gray's
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p.1028
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Anatomical terminology
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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
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Extrinsic eye muscle. Nerves of orbita. Deep dissection
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