Doctors' Answers to "Frequently Asked Questions" - Tears


These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.

Cause and Source of Tears [posted 8/12/98]
Question: What causes our sinuses to fill up and tears to form when we have strong emotional feelings such as sadness or joy? Is there a chemical reaction that takes place such as when we experience an adrenaline surge in response to perceived danger? If so, what is the chemical or body substance called? Where can I find out more about it?

Answer: Good question that no one currently knows the answer to. The filling of your sinuses, however, is due to the tears passing through a duct into the sinuses - the normal drainage of the eye.

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Last modified August 12, 1998