Why does a person’s nose run when he cries?
Select one:
a. ?Intense stimulation of the facial nerve as a result of crying increases nasal secretions.
b. ?This stimulates fluid production in the nose.
c. ?Tears drain into the nasal cavity via the nasolacrimal duct.
d. ?Parasympathetic nerve stimulation causes the nose to secrete mucus.
e. ?The lacrimal glands secrete tears directly into the nose.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is:
c. This stimulates fluid production in the nose.
Explanation:
When a person cries, the body produces tears that serve various purposes, including lubrication, emotional expression, and protection of the eyes. Tears are generated by the lacrimal glands, located above the eyes. These tears normally flow over the surface of the eye to help wash away debris, but when a person is emotional and crying intensely, the body produces more tears than usual.
The tears produced during crying don’t just stay on the surface of the eye. They need to be drained away, and this is where the nasolacrimal duct plays a crucial role. The nasolacrimal duct is a small tube that runs from the corner of the eye to the inside of the nose. As tears are produced, some of them drain through this duct into the nasal cavity, which is why you might notice a runny nose when you cry.
Once the tears enter the nasal cavity, they mix with mucus that is already present in the nose. This combination can cause the nose to become congested or runny, which is why people often feel the need to wipe their nose when they cry. The increased volume of fluid in the nasal passages, especially when combined with mucus, leads to the feeling of a “runny” nose.
Additionally, crying often causes a person to experience a variety of other physiological responses, such as increased mucus production as part of the body’s reaction to emotional stress or irritation. However, the primary reason for a runny nose during crying is the drainage of tears into the nasal cavity through the nasolacrimal duct.
So, while increased fluid production and stimulation of the nasal area can contribute to the effect, it is the direct drainage of tears into the nose that is the primary cause.