What gland produces tears?

The gland that produces tears is the lacrimal gland.

Humans have a lacrimal gland associated with each eye, located in the upper outer part of the eye socket. It is an exocrine gland: it releases its secretion through ducts rather than into the bloodstream. The ducts carry tear fluid onto the eye’s surface, where blinking spreads it into a thin tear film.

Tears do more than appear during crying. The tear film lubricates the cornea, helps maintain a smooth optical surface for clear vision, and carries protective substances that help defend the eye. Irritants such as smoke or dust can trigger reflex tearing, while strong emotions can produce emotional tears.

After passing over the eye, tears drain through tiny openings called lacrimal puncta near the inner eyelids. They then travel through the canaliculi and lacrimal sac into the nasolacrimal duct, which empties into the nose. This drainage explains why crying often causes a runny nose. Sweat, sebaceous, and salivary glands do not produce tears.