tear duct and gland

tear duct and gland
or lachrymal duct and gland

Structures that produce, distribute, and carry away tears.

An almond-shaped gland above the outer corner of each eye secretes tears between the upper eyelid and the eyeball. Tears moisten and lubricate the conjunctiva (the membrane that lines the eyelid and covers the white of the eye) and then flow into the barely visible openings (near the inner corners of the eyelids) of the tear ducts, which lead to the nasal cavity. Oil (from sebaceous glands on the edge of the eyelid) keeps tears from spilling out unless secretion increases because of crying or a reflex triggered by stimuli such as eye irritation, bright lights, or spicy foods.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • tear duct and glands — ▪ anatomy also called  lachrymal, or lacrimal, duct and glands         structures that produce and distribute the watery component of the tear film. Tears consist of a complex and usually clear fluid that is diffused between the eye (eye, human)… …   Universalium

  • gland — gland1 glandless, adj. glandlike, adj. /gland/, n. 1. Anat. a. a cell, group of cells, or organ producing a secretion. b. any of various organs or structures resembling the shape but not the function of true glands. 2. Bot. a secreting organ or… …   Universalium

  • Tear — (t[=e]r), n. [AS. te[ a]r; akin to G. z[ a]rhe, OHG. zahar, OFries. & Icel. t[=a]r, Sw. t[*a]r, Dan. taare, Goth. tagr, OIr. d[=e]r, W. dagr, OW. dacr, L. lacrima, lacruma, for older dacruma, Gr. da kry, da kryon, da kryma. [root]59. Cf.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Gland, lacrimal — A small almond shaped structure that produces tears; located just above the outer corner of the eye. The lacrimal gland is part of the lacrimal apparatus, the system that forms tears, conveys them through the lacrimal (tear) duct to the eye, and… …   Medical dictionary

  • duct´like´ — duct «duhkt», noun, verb. –n. 1. a tube, pipe, or channel for carrying liquid, air, sand, grain, or other granular solid: »The hot air from our furnace reaches the bedrooms by metal heat ducts. SYNONYM(S): conduit. 2. a single pipe for electric… …   Useful english dictionary

  • tear gland — noun any of the glands in the eyes that secrete tears • Syn: ↑lacrimal gland, ↑lachrymal gland • Hypernyms: ↑exocrine gland, ↑exocrine, ↑duct gland • Part Holonyms: ↑lacrima …   Useful english dictionary

  • Gland of Moll — Glands of Moll, also known as ciliary glands, are modified apocrine sweat glands that are found on the margin of the eyelid. They are next to the base of the eyelashes, and anterior to the Meibomian glands within the distal eyelid margin. These… …   Wikipedia

  • tear — {{Roman}}I.{{/Roman}} noun from the eyes ADJECTIVE ▪ angry, bitter, emotional ▪ There were angry tears in Lily s eyes. ▪ happy ▪ burning, f …   Collocations dictionary

  • Nasolacrimal duct — The lacrimal apparatus. Right side. Outline of bones of face, showing position o …   Wikipedia

  • Head and neck anatomy — focuses on the structures of the head and neck of the human body, including the brain, bones, muscles, blood vessels, nerves, glands, nose, mouth, teeth, tongue, and throat. It is an area frequently studied in depth by surgeons, dentists, dental… …   Wikipedia

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