An infant has persistent watering of both eyes without redness. Probing shows blockage at the lower end of the nasolacrimal duct, where a mucosal fold prevents drainage into the nasal cavity. This fold is called:

• A Valve of Rosenmuller
• B Valve of Hasner ✓
• C Valve of Krause
• D Plica semilunaris

Explanation

The nasolacrimal duct drains into the inferior meatus of the nose beneath the inferior turbinate, guarded at its lower end by the valve of Hasner (plica lacrimalis). Congenital failure of this membrane to canalize causes congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction with epiphora; most cases resolve spontaneously or with probing. Valve of Rosenmuller is the mucosal fold at the junction of sac and duct, and Krause marks entry into the lacrimal sac. Plica semilunaris is conjunctival tissue at the medial canthus.

Reference: Gray's Anatomy, 42nd ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.