Which glands secrete tears to moisten and cleanse the surface of the eye?

Which glands secrete tears to moisten and cleanse the surface of the eye?

• A. Lacrimal Glands
• B. Ciliary Glands
• C. Meibomian Glands
• D. Sebaceous Glands

Answer: (A)

Tears are produced by the lacrimal glands, which sit above the eye and generate the watery portion of the tear film that moistens and cleans the eye’s surface. This aqueous layer washes away debris and helps protect against microbes as blinking spreads tears across the cornea and conjunctiva. The other glands have different roles: ciliary glands at the eyelid margins help lubricate the eyelashes, meibomian glands secrete oils to form the tear film’s lipid layer and reduce evaporation, and sebaceous glands are skin oil glands not involved in tear production.

Tears are produced by the lacrimal glands, which sit above the eye and generate the watery portion of the tear film that moistens and cleans the eye’s surface. This aqueous layer washes away debris and helps protect against microbes as blinking spreads tears across the cornea and conjunctiva. The other glands have different roles: ciliary glands at the eyelid margins help lubricate the eyelashes, meibomian glands secrete oils to form the tear film’s lipid layer and reduce evaporation, and sebaceous glands are skin oil glands not involved in tear production.