A patient undergoes endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy for chronic epiphora. The surgeon creates a rhinostomy into the nasal cavity at the site where the lacrimal sac normally drains. Into which meatus does the nasolacrimal duct open?

• A Middle meatus
• B Superior meatus
• C Sphenoethmoidal recess
• D Inferior meatus ✓

Explanation

The nasolacrimal duct opens into the anterior part of the inferior meatus, about 1 cm behind the nostril rim, guarded by Hasner's valve. This is why DCR is performed endoscopically over the inferior turbinate region and why probing the inferior meatus relieves congenital dacryocystocele. The middle meatus drains the frontal, maxillary and anterior ethmoid sinuses, not tears.

Reference: Gray's Anatomy, 42nd ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.