Lacrimal apparatus of the eye. Cutaway illustration of the anatomy and complete course of the lacrimal apparatus of the eye, which is responsible for tear production and drainage. Tears are a salty antiseptic solution that cleans and moistens the eye, preventing infection and damage. The lacrimal gland (upper left, pink) releases tears directly onto the surface of the eye (the conjunctiva) through tiny ducts in the eyelid (not shown). The tears drain to the corner of the eye near the nose, entering the lacrimal ducts (pink, upper right), then the lacrimal sac, and the naso-lacrimal duct (vertical, pink, centre right), which conveys the fluid to the nasal cavity.