Why Do We Cry?

What You'll Learn

• Tears are made by glands above each eye called lacrimal glands
• There are three types of tears: basal, reflex, and emotional
• Basal tears keep your eyes moist and protected every day
• Reflex tears wash away dust and irritants — like when you cut an onion
• Emotional tears happen when you feel strong feelings — sad, happy, or even laughing hard

Words to Know

Tears

The salty drops that come from your eyes

"Tears rolled down my cheek."

Lacrimal gland

The tiny factory above each eye that makes tears

"The lacrimal gland makes tears all day."

Reflex

Something your body does automatically

"Reflex tears wash away dust."

Emotion

A strong feeling like happy, sad, or surprised

"Emotional tears come from strong feelings."

Check What You Learned

Fun Facts

• Tears are produced by the lacrimal glands located above each eye

  Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology

• There are three types of tears: basal, reflex, and emotional

  Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology

• Basal tears keep the cornea moist and protected; humans blink ~15,000 times/day spreading them

  Source: National Eye Institute

• Reflex tears wash away irritants like dust, smoke, and onion gas

  Source: AAO

• Cutting onions releases syn-propanethial-S-oxide, a gas that triggers reflex tears

  Source: Royal Society of Chemistry

• Emotional tears contain different hormones than other tears, including prolactin and leucine-enkephalin (a natural pain reliever)

  Source: Dr. William Frey, biochemist