title: Lacrimal hamulus
text: # Lacrimal hamulus
  
  The lacrimal hamulus is a small, hook-like bony projection of the lacrimal bone. It is a continuation of the posterior lacrimal crest. It articulates with the lacrimal tubercle of the maxilla, and completes the upper orifice of the lacrimal canaliculus. It sometimes exists as a separate piece, and is then called the lesser lacrimal bone.
  
  ## Structure
  
  The lacrimal hamulus is a small, hook-like bony projection of the lacrimal bone. It is a continuation of the posterior lacrimal crest of the lacrimal bone. It articulates with the lacrimal tubercle of the maxilla. This completes the upper orifice of the lacrimal canaliculus.
  
  ### Relations
  
  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.
  
  ### Variation
  
  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.
  
  