ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the gross anatomy and physiology and associated conditions and treatment. The lacrimal system consists of lacrimal gland. The lacrimal gland is situated in the upper, outer quadrant of the orbit, in the lacrimal fossa of the frontal bone. It is divided into two lobes by the levator palpebral muscle: superior or orbital lobe and inferior or palpebral lobe. The lacrimal drainage system comprising puncta, canaliculi, lacrimal sac, nasolacrimal duct. The function of the lacrimal gland is to produce tears in response to stimulation of the trigeminal nerve through emotion; foreign body on the cornea or conjunctiva; or noxious fumes. The tear film is a mixture of secretions from the accessory tear glands of Krause and wolfring, the goblets cells of the conjunctiva and the meibomian glands of the eyelids. The chapter discusses the signs, patient's needs, and nursing action for disorders of the lacrimal system, such as dacryoadenitis, dacryocystitis, epiphora, and dry eye syndrome.
