The Human Nasolacrimal Ducts

and Questions.- 1.1 Introduction.- 1.2 Questions.- Materials and Methods.- 2.1 Human Material.- 2.2 Animal Material.- 2.3 Light Microscopy.- 2.4 Lectin Staining.- 2.5 Immunohistochemistry.- 2.6 Scanning Electron Microscopy.- 2.7 Transmission Electron Microscopy.- 2.8 Corrosion Vascular Casts.- 2.9 Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction and Western Blot.- 2.10 Animal Investigations/Experiments.- Results.- 3.1 The Epithelium and the Underlying Lamina Propria of the Nasolacrimal Ducts.- 3.2 The Membranous Part of the Nasolacrimal Ducts.- 3.3 Absorption Experiments in the Nasolacrimal Ducts.- 3.4 Pathologic Findings in Dacryostenosis.- Discussion.- 4.1 Mechanisms of Immune Defence in the Nasolacrimal Ducts.- 4.2 Mechanisms Regulating Tear Flow Through the Nasolacrimal Ducts.- 4.3 Absorption of Tear Fluid Components.- 4.4 Insights into the Pathophysiology of Primary Acquired Dacryostenosis.- 4.5 Considerations on the Relationship Between Dry Eye and the Nasolacrimal Ducts.- Outlook..- Summary.- References.