Where are tears produced within the eye?

Tears are produced in the lacrimal glands, which are located above the outer corner of each eye. These glands secrete a fluid that forms tears, essential for keeping the eye moist and providing nourishment to the cornea. The tears also help protect the eye from potential infections by washing away debris and pathogens.

The lacrimal ducts do play a role in the drainage of tears, directing them away from the surface of the eye after they have been secreted. However, they do not produce tears. The conjunctiva is a membrane that covers the inner eyelids and the surface of the eyeball but does not produce tears either. The cornea, while a crucial part of the eye involved in focusing light, is also not a site for tear production. Therefore, the lacrimal glands are correctly identified as the source of tear production within the eye.