tear-duct
Definition
- Noun:
- Anatomical structure: A "tear-duct" (also known as a lacrimal duct) is a small passage or tube in the eye that carries tears from the lacrimal gland to the surface of the eye and then into the nasal cavity. It is part of the body's system for lubricating and draining tears.
Usage Examples
- (The physician looked at the small tube that drains tears from the eye.)
- (In infants, the tear-drainage passage may not function fully, leading to excess tears on the eye surface.)
Advanced Usage
"Blocked tear-duct": a common condition where the tear-duct is obstructed, preventing proper drainage of tears.
- The optometrist diagnosed a blocked tear-duct and recommended a gentle massage to open it. (The eye doctor identified an obstruction in the tear-drainage tube and suggested a physical technique to clear it.)
"Tear-duct infection": an infection of the tear-duct, often causing redness, swelling, and discharge near the eye.
- She developed a tear-duct infection after a cold, requiring antibiotic drops. (She got an infection in the tear-drainage passage following a viral illness, which needed medicated eye drops.)
Variants and Related Words
- Tear-duct (n): the specific tube for tear drainage; note that "tear-duct" is a compound word, and its meaning is restricted to this anatomical structure. Do not confuse with "tear" (as in ripping) or "duct" (general tube).
- Lacrimal duct (n): a synonym for tear-duct, often used in medical contexts.
- The lacrimal duct drains tears into the nose. (The tear-drainage tube carries tears from the eye to the nasal cavity.)
Synonyms
- Lacrimal duct: the medical term for the tear-drainage passage.
- Nasolacrimal duct: the specific part of the tear-duct that connects the eye to the nasal cavity.
Related Idioms
- (No common idioms directly use "tear-duct," as it is a technical anatomical term. However, the word "tear" alone appears in idioms like "crocodile tears" — insincere grief — which is unrelated to the duct itself.)