Distribution of Elastic Fibers in the Lacrimal Sac and Nasolacrimal Duct of Japanese Cadavers.

Purpose: To investigate the distribution of elastic fibers in lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct of Japanese cadavers. Methods: We examined 8 lacrimal sacs and nasolacrimal ducts of 7 Japanese cadavers (4 right sides, 4 left sides; 3 mal es, 4 females; average age of 89 years at death) that were preserved with 10% buffered formalin. The harvested specimens were transversely sectioned. All specimens were stained with Elastica van Gieson. Micrographs were taken, and then converted to white and black images, and the elastic fiber density of 4 locations (middle and upper levels of lacrimal sac, and middle and lower levels of nasolacrimal duct) was compared. Results: Elastic fibers showed greater distribution in the lamina propria, compared with the submucosal tissue, at all locations (p