lacrimal lake

The volume of the lacrimal lake has been estimated to be between 7 and 10 L.

Aging usually causes the eyelids to become more loose which in turn enables the lacrimal lake to hold even more fluid.

Although the lacrimal lake usually contains 7-10 L of tears, the maximum fluid it can usually hold is 25-30 L before tearing occurs.

The lacrimal lake is the pool of tears in the lower conjunctival cul-de-sac, which drains into the opening of the tear drainage system (the puncta lacrimalia).

The medial angles of the two plates end at the lacrimal lake, and are attached to the frontal process of the maxilla by the medial palpebral ligament).

It functions during movement of the eye, to help maintain tear drainage via the lacrimal lake, and to permit greater rotation of the globe, for without the plica the conjunctiva would attach directly to the eyeball, restricting movement.

Lacrimal fluid gathers in the lacrimal lake, and is drawn into the puncta by capillary action, then flows through the lacrimal canaliculi at the inner corner of the eyelids entering the lacrimal sac, then on to the nasolacrimal duct, and finally into the nasal cavity.