Dictionary.net

any of the glands in the eyes that secrete tears

any of the glands in the eyes that secrete tears

Gland which secretes tears.

is seated in a depression of the frontal bone at the upper, anterior, and outer part of the orbit. It is of about the size of an almond; and of an oval shape, flattened above and below: -its great diameter being the anteroposterior. It is composed of several small lobules, united by areolar tissue, and separated by it as well as by vessels and nerves which creep in the intervals. This gland has seven or eight excretory ducts, which open behind the upper eyelid. Its use is to secrete the tears, and pour them on the globe of the eye by the excretory ducts.