Which bone is the smallest and most fragile bone of the face near the eye?

• A. Maxilla
• B. Zygomatic
• C. Mandible
• D. Lacrimal Bone

Answer: (D)

The lacrimal bone is the smallest and most fragile facial bone near the eye. It sits at the medial wall of the orbit, a thin, delicate bone just beside the tear duct, and it helps create the groove for the lacrimal sac. Because it is so small and slender, it is more delicate than the other facial bones. The maxilla and zygomatic are larger, sturdier bones forming much of the orbital and facial framework, while the mandible is the largest bone of the face and located lower down, not near the eye. So the lacrimal bone’s tiny size and fragile structure explain why it’s described as the smallest and most delicate near the eye.