What Is A Lacrimal Gland?

The lacrimal gland is a small almond shaped gland found in each eye that produces tears.  It is located just above the outer corner of the eye and is part of the system that forms tears, conveys them through the lacrimal (tear) duct to the eye and then drains the tears.

In mammals, this gland, which has a tubuloalveolar structure has several ducts which pour their opious fluid into the outer, upper part of the conjunctival sac or cavity.

The tear then washes over the eyeball itself before eventually passing through two small openings, one on the margin of each lid, into the lacrimal ducts.

The nasolacrimal duct leads into the nasal passageway from the lacrimal sac, which is formed when the tears converge having passed through the lacrimal ducts.