-Acknowledgements.
-Introduction and questions.
-Materials and methods.
-Light microscopy.
-Lectin staining.
-Immunohistochemistry.
-Scanning electron microscopy.
-Transmission electron microscopy.
-Corrosion vacular casts.
-Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot.
-Animal investigations/experiments.
-Results.
-The epithelium and the underlying lamina propria of the nasolacrimal ducts.
-The membranous part of the nasolacrimal ducts.
-Absorption experiments in the nasolacrimal ducts.
-Pathologic findings in dacryostenosis.
-Discussion.
-Mechanisms of immune defense in the nasolacrimal ducts.
-Mechanisms regulating tear flow through the nasolacrimal ducts.
-Absorption of tear fluid components.
-Insights into the pathophysiology of primary acquired dacryostenosis.
-Considerations on the relationship between dry eye and the nasolacrimal ducts.
-Outlook.
-Summary.
-References.
-Subject index