The lacrimal glands are paired almond-shaped gland

Gland

A gland is an organ in an animal's body that synthesizes a substance for release of substances such as hormones or breast milk, often into the bloodstream or into cavities inside the body or its outer surface .- Types :...

s, one for each eye

Human eye

The human eye is an organ which reacts to light for several purposes. As a conscious sense organ, the eye allows vision. Rod and cone cells in the retina allow conscious light perception and vision including color differentiation and the perception of depth...

, that secrete the aqueous layer of the tear

Tears

Tears are secretions that clean and lubricate the eyes. Lacrimation or lachrymation is the production or shedding of tears....

 film. They are situated in the upper, outer portion of each orbit

Orbit (anatomy)

In anatomy, the orbit is the cavity or socket of the skull in which the eye and its appendages are situated. "Orbit" can refer to the bony socket, or it can also be used to imply the contents...

, in the lacrimal fossa

Lacrimal fossa

Located on the inferior surface of each orbital plate of the frontal bone, is smooth and concave, and presents, laterally, under cover of the zygomatic process, a shallow depression, the lacrimal fossa , for the lacrimal gland....

 of the orbit formed by the frontal bone. Inflammation of the lacrimal glands is called dacryoadenitis. The lacriminal gland produces tears which then flow into canals that lead to the lacriminal sac. From this sac, the tears drain through a passage into the nose.