The tear gland of the eye of tetrapod vertebrates. It lies beneath the upper eyelid, in a slight depression in the orbital cavity, of humans and other animals. The lachrimal gland is controled by the autonomic nervous system. It continuously secretes small amounts of sterile, slightly antiseptic, tears which keep the cornea moist. Tears drain into the nose through the lacrimal duct, or tear duct, from the inner corner of the eye.
