The lacrimal gland is the tear gland of the eye of humans and other vertebrates. It lies beneath the upper eyelid, in a slight depression in the orbital cavity. The lacrimal gland is controlled by the autonomic nervous system. It continuously secretes small amounts of sterile, slightly antiseptic, tears which keep the cornea moist. Tears drain away through two small openings (puncta) at the inner corner of the eye into the lacrimal caniculi. From there the tears pass into the nasal cavity (see nose) via the lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct, or also known as the tear duct.