Lacrimation (redirected from lachrymation)

lacrimation [‚lak·rə′mā·shən]

(physiology)

Normal secretion of tears.

Excessive secretion of tears, as in weeping.

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Lacrimation 

in mammals, including man, the secretion of tears by the lacrimal gland. A continuous process that ceases only during sleep, lacrimation is a reflex that occurs when the cornea becomes irritated or dry. Blinking causes tears to be conducted to the inner canthus, where the lacrimal points and canaliculi, lacrimal sac, and nasolacrimal canal commence.

Man normally secretes 0.5–1 milliliters of tears daily. Lacrimation may intensify (hypersecretion) when an individual experiences such emotions as pain, anger, and joy, and when irritation occurs at the branching of the trigeminal nerve. Lacrimation decreases sharply (hyposecretion) with certain eye diseases, for example, trachomatous xerosis.

REFERENCES

Odintsov, V. P. Kursglaznykh boleznei, 5th ed. Moscow, 1946.
Tikhomirov, P. E. Patologiia i terapiia slezootvodiashchikh putei. Leningrad, 1949.