The
nasolacrimal duct (sometimes called the
tear duct) carries
tears from the
lacrimal sac into the
nasal cavity. The opening of the nasolacrimal duct into the inferior nasal meatus is partially covered by a mucosal fold (valve of Hasner or
plica lacrimalis). Excess tears flow through nasolacrimal duct which drains into the
inferior nasal meatus. This is the reason the nose starts to run when a person is crying or has watery eyes from an allergy, and why one can sometimes taste eye drops.