Development of the Lacrimal Apparatus in the Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and Its Potential Role as an Animal Model for Humans

Table 5

Summary of route of NLD in mammals.

	Rabbit (this study) [5]	Buffalo, Llama, Goat, Camel [14, 17, 20, 38]	Sheep, cats* and dogs* [15, 18]	Horse and Strepsirrhine primates [19, 24]	Cats^# and primates [24, 37]
Number and type of flexures	2 pronounced flexures: one at the upper NLD and one near the incisor tooth row	2 flexures, in same place a rabbit, but less pronounced	1 dorsal flexure (described as an arch) only	No flexures—straight NLD	No flexures—straight NLD
Descent of (maxillary) bony NLD canal	Diagonal	Diagonal	Diagonal	Diagonal	Vertical
Nasal opening of the NLD	Naris	Naris	Naris	Naris	Nasal cavity

*Refers to both dolichocephalic (elongate faced) and mesocephalic (normal faced).
^#Refers to brachycephalic (short faced).