[3] Excess tears flow through the nasolacrimal duct which drains into the inferior nasal meatus.

Like the lacrimal sac, the duct is lined by stratified columnar epithelium containing mucus-secreting goblet cells, and is surrounded by connective tissue.

[4][5][6] This leads to the excess overflow of tears called epiphora (chronic low-grade nasolacrimal duct occlusion).

Persons with dry eye conditions can be fitted with punctal plugs that seal the ducts to limit the amount of fluid drainage and retain moisture.

[citation needed] In humans, the tear ducts in males tend to be larger than the ones in females.