Walsh & Hoyt: Anatomy of Tear Secretion by the Lacrimal Glands

The lacrimal gland is situated in the superior lateral corner of the orbit, immediately behind the orbital rim within the lacrimal fossa of the frontal bone. Inferiorly, it is in contact with the globe. Anteriorly, it is divided into an upper (orbital) and lower (palpebral) lobe by the lateral horn of the levator aponeurosis. The upper or superior lobe is bean-shaped, with its medial extremity lying on the levator and its lateral extremity lying on the lateral rectus muscle. The lower or inferior lobe, about half the size of the superior lobe, is situated underneath the levator aponeurosis and connects to the lateral superior conjunctival fornix by a series of excretory ducts. These ducts, about 12 in number, open into the conjunctival sac 45 mm above the upper border of the tarsus.