What paired bones cradle the tear ducts at the corners of each eye?

The lacrimal bones are the correct answer because they are small, thin, and delicate bones located in the medial wall of each eye socket. These paired bones play a crucial role in the anatomy of the eye as they house the lacrimal glands and provide a pathway for the tear ducts, which are essential for tear drainage. The position of the lacrimal bones at the corners of each eye allows them to effectively cradle the tear ducts, facilitating the flow of tears from the glands into the nasal cavity.

While the maxilla supports the upper jaw and contributes to the structure of the eye socket, it does not specifically cradle the tear ducts. The zygoma, or cheekbone, is involved in forming the lateral aspect of the eye socket but does not interact with the lacrimal system in the same way. The mandible is the lower jawbone and is completely separate from the structure associated with the tear ducts. Thus, the lacrimal bones are uniquely positioned to fulfill the role of cradling the tear ducts.