Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small tube or channel in the eye that drains tears from the surface of the eye into the nasal cavity.

Usage

The term "tear duct" is used to describe the anatomical structure responsible for tear drainage. It is a countable noun.

Examples

• A blocked tear duct can cause excessive tearing and eye irritation.
• The ophthalmologist examined the patient's tear ducts to determine the cause of the chronic infection.
• Tears flow from the lacrimal gland, across the eye, and drain through the tear duct.

Advanced Usage

• Medical Context: In detailed anatomical or medical discussions, the term "nasolacrimal duct" is often used as a more precise synonym for the main tear duct.
  • The surgery was performed to open a stenotic nasolacrimal duct.

Variants and Related Words

• Nasolacrimal duct (n): The specific medical term for the duct that carries tears from the lacrimal sac into the nasal cavity.
• Lacrimal apparatus (n): The collective term for the entire system that produces and drains tears, including the lacrimal gland, puncta, canaliculi, lacrimal sac, and nasolacrimal duct.

Synonyms

• Lacrimal duct
• Nasolacrimal duct (specific)

Related Phrases

• Blocked tear duct: A common condition, especially in infants, where the duct is obstructed.
  • The baby's blocked tear duct usually clears up on its own within the first year.
• Tear duct obstruction: The medical term for a blocked tear duct.
• Tear duct probing: A minor medical procedure to open a blocked tear duct.

Noun

1. any of several small ducts that carry tears from the lacrimal glands