Crying

Crying is a natural response humans have to a range of emotions, including sadness, grief, joy, and frustration. It is a complex secretomotor phenomenon characterized by the shedding of tears from the lacrimal apparatus, without any irritation of the ocular structures.

Physiology of Crying

Crying is produced by an increased activity of the lacrimal functional unit, an integrated system which includes the lacrimal gland, ocular surface (cornea, conjunctiva and meibomian glands), lids, and the sensory and motor nerves that connect them.

Types of Crying

There are three types of crying: basal, reflex, and emotional.

• Basal crying is the quiet, continuous production of tears which serves to keep the cornea lubricated.
• Reflex crying occurs in response to an irritant in the eye, such as smoke, foreign bodies or a gust of wind.
• Emotional crying is the body's response to a range of emotions and is considered to be a unique aspect of human behavior.

Emotional Crying

Emotional crying is a response to a range of emotions. These can include sadness, happiness, fear, frustration, or even social bonding. Some theories propose that crying, by blurring vision, can handicap aggressive or defensive actions, and may function as a reliable signal of appeasement, need, or attachment.

Health Benefits of Crying

Crying is not only a human response to sorrow and frustration, it's also a healthy one. Crying is a natural way to reduce emotional stress that, left unchecked, has negative physical affects on the body, including increased risk of cardiovascular disease and other stress-related disorders.

See Also

• Tears
• Emotion
• Stress (biology)

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