The Process of Forming Tears

Crying is usually the main cause of tears. Not just crying because it feels sad, but even when happy someone may cry. Although there are also some other causes that cause us to release tears, such as when entering dust to the eyes, eat spicy food or other causes. Then how exactly the workings of the eyes with tears can form, then out of both our eyes?

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Here is an explanation of the process of tear formation:

The process of tear formation is also called lacrimation process. The lacrimation language is taken from the latin lacrima which means tears.
The lacrinal system will keep the condition in the eye moist. Tear production itself aims to provide a natural lubricant in the eye and dilute and wash away foreign particles that enter the eye.
In the process of formation there are two kinds of tears that will be produced, namely tear lubricant, which contains water, fat, and mucosa, and aqueous tears, which contain only water in response to emotional outbursts (crying) and irritation.
The tear gland with the scientific name lacrima gland located in the upper corner of the eye, precisely on the part between the eyelids and eyebrows will routinely spread the fluid that wets the eyes every blink. This gland is the manufacturer of the tear maker. Although the size is small like a walnut, but this organ that will spray the flow of tears.
Tears appear through the outlet that is in the outer corner of our eyes. When our eyes blink so lacrima gland spreads tears to all parts of the eye
then the tears will flow through the hole in the inner corner of the eye through another channel, to continue into the field behind the nose (where tears will be absorbed by the body).

As for the tear gland (lacrimal gland) consists of two parts, namely

The lacrimal gland - a gland that produces tears with water content, with the meaning that the resulting tears contain only water. This gland is located in the anterior lateral roof of the upper orbital. The location greatly enables the wetting of the eye diagonally toward the medial cadence by the eye.

The lacrimal gland - the accessory is a gland that serves to keep the anterior eye moist. This section consists of Zeis / sebaceous glands and Moll / siliaris that are within the eyelid margin. The sebaceous gland lies in a single line along the tarsus or wide frame of the eyelid, which plays a role in the oil component in tears. This component protects the tear layer from being vaporized (dry) or excessive. In addition to ensuring that the eyelid closure is in an airtight condition and maintains a smooth and regular optical surface.

Tear Function

Judging from the causes and functions, the tears consist of three types, among others:

Basal tears - a tear in which there is a content to fight bacterial infections as part of a protective, immune or immune system. Such as maintaining the eye condition to remain moist and wet and inhibit the entry of foreign particles, such as dust.
Tear reflex - is a tear that serves to make efforts to issue irritants that make contact with the eyes suddenly. Examples of irritation of the eyes due to foreign objects or an irritant such as garlic and chilli vapor.
Psychic tears (tears) - are tears caused by strong emotional states such as stress, depression or pain / pain in the body. But not only because of negative emotional (sad), sometimes also because of the positive emotional (happy) that bring a sense of emotion to someone.

Source :

Forming Tears

Produce tears

Why do we cry? The science of tears