Abstract:

Objective　To investigate the relationship between the lacrimal canaliculi and the structures of the medial canthus according to the morphological data of Chinese lacrimal canaliculis. 　Methods 　To observe the relationship between lacrimal canaliculi and its surrounding structures, and to measure the relevant data of Chinese lacrimal canaliculi through dissecting the 31 sides of adult medial canthus region.  Results　①The length of the vertical canaliculus and horizontal canaliculus of upper canaliculus，vertical canaliculus and horizontal canaliculus of inferior canaliculus and common canaliculus of male was respectively (2.66±0.42)， (9.54±0.97)， (2.56±0.43)，(9.58±0.87) and (2.50±0.50) mm; The length of the vertical canaliculus and horizontal canaliculus of upper canaliculus, vertical canaliculus and horizontal canaliculus of inferior canaliculus and common canaliculus of famale was respectively (2.33±0.46), (9.73±1.13), (2.43±0.18), (9.67±1.10) and (1.97±0.84)mm. ②In 93.5% (29 sides), the upper and lower lacrimal canaliculis converged to form the common canaliculus; However, in 6.5% (2 sides) were opened together in the lacrimal sac. ③The muscle fibers of the tarsal plate part of orbicularis oculi muscle were divided into  two beams, namely the anterior and posterior, and the two beams were along the anterior and posterior nasal directions of the lacrimal canaliculi. The anterior beam joined into medial canthus and continues to become the anterior part of the medial canthus ligament; Moveover, the posterior beam merged to the Horner’s muscle and formed the posterior part of the medial canthus ligament. The terminations of the posterior part occurred in the posterior crest and posterior facial surface.　Conclusions　Knowledge of the morphological features and adjacent structures of the lacrimal canaliculis is of great significance for the treatment of canalicular injuries and for reshaping of the medial canthus.

Key words: Lacrimal canaliculis； , Common canaliculus； , Orbicularis oculi muscle；  , Horner’s muscle