Valvular system of the lacrimal drainage pathway and the valve of Rosenmüller

Piotr J Gaca; Ludwig M Heindl; Friedrich Paulsen; Mohammad Javed Ali

doi:10.1016/j.aanat.2023.152105

Valvular system of the lacrimal drainage pathway and the valve of Rosenmüller

Ann Anat. 2023 Aug:249:152105. doi: 10.1016/j.aanat.2023.152105. Epub 2023 May 18.

Authors

Piotr J Gaca¹, Ludwig M Heindl², Friedrich Paulsen³, Mohammad Javed Ali⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of General Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Chmielna 1, 20-079 Lublin, Poland.
² Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Germany.
³ Institute of Functional and Clinical Anatomy, Friedrich Alexander University, Erlangen, Germany.
⁴ 'Govindram Seksaria Institute of Dacryology', L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India. Electronic address: drjaved007@gmail.com.

PMID: 37207850
DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2023.152105

Abstract

The valves of the lacrimal drainage system are an enigma with a rich eponymous history. The unidirectional flow of tears along with the ultrastructural demonstration of distinctive mucosal folds on the luminal surface has rekindled an interest in them. The first in vivo direct demonstration of the valve of Rosenmüller and its functions has laid to rest some of the controversies of its existence and that of the valve of Huschke. The dynamic assessment of the valve of Rosenmüller has shown a well-defined functional role in the facilitation of unidirectional tear flow. The present mini review describes the embryological aspects, brief overview of the eponymous valves, techniques for their identification along with recent structural and functional aspects of the valve of Rosenmüller.

Keywords: Embryology; Hasner; Lacrimal; Nasolacrimal duct; Rosenmüller; Valve.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Lacrimal Apparatus* / ultrastructure
Nasolacrimal Duct* / ultrastructure
Repressor Proteins / metabolism
Tears

Substances

Repressor Proteins