Lacrimal hamulus | |
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Details | |
Part of | lacrimal bone |
System | skeletal |
Identifiers | |
Latin | hamulus lacrimalis |
TA98 | A02.1.09.004 |
TA2 | 747 |
FMA | 57606 |
Anatomical terminology |
The lacrimal hamulus is a small, hook-like bony projection of the lacrimal bone. It is a continuation of the posterior lacrimal crest. It articulates with the lacrimal tubercle of the maxilla, and completes the upper orifice of the lacrimal canaliculus. It sometimes exists as a separate piece, and is then called the lesser lacrimal bone.
The lacrimal hamulus is a small, hook-like bony projection of the lacrimal bone.[1] It is a continuation of the posterior lacrimal crest of the lacrimal bone.[2] It articulates with the lacrimal tubercle of the maxilla.[2][3] This completes the upper orifice of the lacrimal canaliculus.
The lacrimal hamulus is usually around 9 mm from the infraorbital foramen, around 20 mm from the inferior orbital fissure, and around 31 mm from the beginning of the posterior lacrimal crest.[4]
The lacrimal hamulus develops from its own site of primary ossification of cartilage. Because of this, it sometimes exists as a separate piece, and is then called the lesser lacrimal bone.