[Anatomy of the lacrimal point and the vertical portion of the lacrimal canaliculus].

In order to define more accurately normal dimensions and form of the lacrimal point as well as peculiarities in the structure of the vertical part of the lacrimal canaliculus, 315 practically healthy persons (630 eyes) at the age of 18-60 years have been examined. The procedure has been performed by means of the slit lamp (shchl-1) . The lacrimal point has been found to have a round (36.1%) and an oval (63.9%) form. Transition of the lacrimal point into the vertical part of the lacrimal canaliculus in 83.5% of the observations is "fannel"-shaped with a maximal narrowing at the depth of 0.4-0.5 mm, and in 16.5%-- well"-shaped (without any narrowing). The normal diameter of the lacrimal point is 0.2-0.6 mm (the arithmetic mean-- 0.35 mm). When the diameter of the lacrimal point is less than 0.2 mm (at least in one of its sections), the lacrimation function correspondingly deteriorates, indices of the coloured nasolacrimal test become decreased or negative.