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lacrimal gland

American  

noun

Anatomy.
  1. either of two tear-secreting glands situated in the upper outer angle of the orbit.


lacrimal gland British  

noun

  1. the compound gland that secretes tears and lubricates the surface of the eye and the conjunctiva of the eyelid

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

lacrimal gland Scientific  
/ lăkrə-məl /
  1. Either of two glands, one in each eye, that produce and secrete tears.


Etymology

Origin of lacrimal gland

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For the new study, researchers administered oxytocin to the dogs’ lacrimal gland, which is responsible for tear secretion.

From New York Times

Next are two sets of lacrimal glands that supply the watery tears.

From New York Times

Tear glands, also called lacrimal glands, are a particular challenge to study, says Darlene Dartt, who studies tear production at Massachusetts Eye and Ear in Boston.

From Scientific American

He has a rare type, “a mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the lacrimal gland,” which threatens his eyesight and his life.

From New York Times

This chronic and usually progressive syndrome attacks secretory tissues throughout the body, primarily, but not exclusively, the salivary and lacrimal glands of the mouth and eyes, the respective sources of saliva and tears.

From New York Times