Lacrimation

Lacrimation (also known as tearing or weeping) is the body's process of producing tears, which are a clear liquid secreted by the lacrimal glands located in the upper, outer region of the eye socket. The function of tears is to maintain the health of the eye by keeping it moist, protecting it from foreign bodies, and providing nutrients to the eye's surface.

Anatomy of the Lacrimal System

The lacrimal system consists of the lacrimal gland, which produces tears, and the lacrimal ducts, which drain the tears. The lacrimal gland is located in the upper, outer portion of the eye socket, and it secretes tears that flow over the surface of the eye. The lacrimal ducts are a network of small tubes that carry the tears from the eye to the nose, where they are reabsorbed.

Functions of Tears

Tears serve several important functions:

• Lubrication: Tears keep the eye moist, which is essential for maintaining the health of the eye's surface and for clear vision.
• Protection: Tears help to remove foreign bodies from the eye, such as dust or sand. They also contain antibodies and lysozymes that can kill bacteria and viruses.
• Nutrition: Tears provide nutrients to the cells of the eye's surface.

Disorders of Lacrimation

There are several disorders that can affect lacrimation, including:

• Dry eye syndrome: This is a condition in which the eyes do not produce enough tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly. This can cause the eyes to feel dry, itchy, or irritated.
• Epiphora: This is a condition in which the eyes produce too many tears. This can be caused by an overproduction of tears, or by a blockage in the lacrimal ducts that prevents the tears from draining properly.
• Dacryocystitis: This is an infection of the lacrimal sac, which can cause pain, redness, and swelling in the inner corner of the eye.

See Also

• Eye
• Tears
• Lacrimal gland
• Lacrimal ducts
• Dry eye syndrome
• Epiphora
• Dacryocystitis

Lacrimation Resources
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