Question

Why does our eyes fill with tears when we yawn?

Answer 1

When we yawn, the facial muscles surrounding our eyes pull tight. This may put pressure on our lacrimal glands (the glands that are neatly tucked away deep beneath our upper eyelids just below our eyebrow bones.) These glands produce the watery component to our eyes’ own natural tears. They are working to produce and release tears slowly throughout the day to coat the surface of our eyes at all times, not just when we cry (think about it, that is why our eyes always look so glossy.) When the facial muscles tighten during a yawn,the lacrimal glands may get squeezed causing them to release a small amount of tears that they were storing to release later.