Anatomie und Physiologie der ableitenden Tränenwege

Abstract

Ophthalmologists and interventional radiologists are not the only professionals for whom diseases of the efferent tear duct system occupy centre stage; this applies also to ENT specialists involving endonasal conservative or surgical treatment. On the basis of current knowledge and taking account of results yielded by own research in recent years and of clinical aspects, we here give an overview of basic knowledge on the anatomy and physiology of the nasolacrimal system. In doing so functional aspects regarding tear transport as well as embryological and pathophysiological issues are integrated.

The evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection on ocular surface

“…This suggests that the viral concentration and genome fraction is diverse in different sites. In consideration of the fact that the ocular surface is an open microenvironment, and that the viral may transport to the inferior meatus of the nose rapidly [14], the SARS-CoV-2 concentration in ocular surface is likely to be very low. We also found that suspected patients often had 2-3 repeated tests of nasopharyngeal swabs before the positive result confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.…”

SARS-CoV-2 on the ocular surface: is it truly a novel transmission route?

“…The nasolacrimal system provides a significant anatomical bridge between the ocular and respiratory systems. 52 Based on this bridge, tear fluid from the ocular surface is transported to the inferior meatus of the nose, which facilitates viral movement from the ocular surface to the respiratory tract. The ocular mucosal immune system and nasolacrimal ducts further share immunological interdependence.…”

Tränenwegsstenosen im Erwachsenenalter

“…36 mm lang. In kraniokaudaler Richtung verlaufen die TNW leicht divergent zur Mittellinie und zeigen zudem in der anteroposterioren Projektion eine dorsale Auslenkung [1].…”

“…Die TNW-Schleimhaut verfügt ferner über ein eigenes lymphatisches Gewebe und ist reich an T-Lymphozyten. Hierüber kann die Antigenerkennung und nachfolgende Immunantwort moduliert werden [1].…”