Bickerstaff's encephalitis is a rare inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system, first described by Edwin Bickerstaff in 1951. It may also affect the peripheral nervous system, and has features in common with both Miller Fisher syndrome and GuillainâBarrÃ© syndrome. 1  1 Signs and symptoms.  2 Pathophysiology.
Pathophysiology. Tears are produced in the lacrimal gland and drain through the upper and lower puncta into the canaliculi and then into the lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct (see Figure: Anatomy of the lacrimal system. ). Obstruction of tear drainage can lead to stasis and infection.
Collectively, the anatomic structures responsible for the production, distribution, and drainage of tears are known as the lacrimal system.Functionally, the lacrimal system is divided into three parts: 1  the secretory system, which produces the components of the tear film;2  the distributional system, which spreads the tear film over the corneal and conjunctival surfaces; and. 3  the excretory system, which provides for drainage of the tear film from the eye.unctionally, the lacrimal system is divided into three parts: 1  the secretory system, which produces the components of the tear film; 2  the distributional system, which spreads the tear film over the corneal and conjunctival surfaces; and. 3  the excretory system, which provides for drainage of the tear film from the eye.