Lacrimal hamulus

The lacrimal hamulus is a small, hook-like bony projection of the lacrimal bone.^[1] It is a continuation of the posterior lacrimal crest of the lacrimal bone.^[2] It articulates with the lacrimal tubercle of the maxilla.^[2][3] This completes the upper orifice of the lacrimal canaliculus.

The lacrimal hamulus is usually around 9 mm from the infraorbital foramen, around 20 mm from the inferior orbital fissure, and around 31 mm from the beginning of the posterior lacrimal crest.^[4]

The lacrimal hamulus develops from its own site of primary ossification of cartilage. Because of this, it sometimes exists as a separate piece, and is then called the lesser lacrimal bone.

• Hamulus

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 164 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)