What cavity do tears flow into, causing nasal stuffiness during crying?

Tears flow into the lacrimal puncta, which are small openings located in the inner corners of the eyelids. From there, tears drain through the lacrimal canaliculi into the lacrimal sac and eventually into the nasolacrimal duct. This duct connects the eyes to the nasal cavity. When someone cries or produces an excess amount of tears, the drainage system can become overwhelmed, causing tears to spill over and also enter the nasal cavity. As a result, this can lead to nasal stuffiness or congestion, as the excess moisture can affect the nasal tissues. This connection is why tears and nasal congestion during crying are related; the lacrimal puncta play a crucial role in the tear drainage process and their interaction with the nasal passages.