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The '''nasolacrimal drainage system''' functions to eliminate the used tear film and any excessive tears.  Malfunction of the nasolacrimal apparatus results in tear overflow (epiphora), which may cause a cosmetic/dermatological problem of the medial periocular region.  Precorneal tear film accumulates along the palpebral margin of each eyelid. '''Lacrimal puncta''' at the '''medial canthus''' of each eyelid are essentially holes which lead to '''canaliculi'''.  Where the caniculi meet to drain into the nasolacrimal duct there is a slight dilatation known as the '''lacrimal sac'''.  Blinking moves the fluid towards the medial canthus, most of the aqueous phase evaporates, the rest is drained by the nasolacrimal system.  When ''orbicularis occuli'' muscle contracts, the eyelids close.  The lacimal sac is within the muscle structure, so when the muscles contract during blinking they act like a pump to empty the lacrimal sac.  When the blink is released, the muscle relaxes and the lacrimal sac opens; it sucks fluid down the canaliculi by capillary action. The fluid is then drained down the '''nasolacrimal duct''' to exit at the '''nasal punctum/nasal ostium''' in the '''nasal vesibule''' and out through the '''external nares'''.
 
The '''nasolacrimal drainage system''' functions to eliminate the used tear film and any excessive tears.  Malfunction of the nasolacrimal apparatus results in tear overflow (epiphora), which may cause a cosmetic/dermatological problem of the medial periocular region.  Precorneal tear film accumulates along the palpebral margin of each eyelid. '''Lacrimal puncta''' at the '''medial canthus''' of each eyelid are essentially holes which lead to '''canaliculi'''.  Where the caniculi meet to drain into the nasolacrimal duct there is a slight dilatation known as the '''lacrimal sac'''.  Blinking moves the fluid towards the medial canthus, most of the aqueous phase evaporates, the rest is drained by the nasolacrimal system.  When ''orbicularis occuli'' muscle contracts, the eyelids close.  The lacimal sac is within the muscle structure, so when the muscles contract during blinking they act like a pump to empty the lacrimal sac.  When the blink is released, the muscle relaxes and the lacrimal sac opens; it sucks fluid down the canaliculi by capillary action. The fluid is then drained down the '''nasolacrimal duct''' to exit at the '''nasal punctum/nasal ostium''' in the '''nasal vesibule''' and out through the '''external nares'''.
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===Vision===
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[[Image:Aspinall Slide6.JPG|thumb|right|350px|<small>Image from [http://www.elsevierhealth.co.uk/veterinary-nursing/spe-60136/ Aspinall, The Complete Textbook of Veterinary Nursing], Elsevier Health Sciences, ''All rights reserved''</small>]]
    
==Ear==
 
==Ear==
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