Final answer:
The lacrimal bone is the bone in the eye socket that is anterior to the ethmoid bone, playing a key role in the tear production and drainage system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The bone in the eye socket that is anterior to the ethmoid bone is the lacrimal bone. It is a small, rectangular bone forming the anterior, medial wall of the orbit. The lacrimal bone houses structures for tear production and drainage, facilitating the passage of lacrimal fluid into the nasal cavity.
Adjacent to the lacrimal bone and part of the orbital structure are other bones including the frontal, zygomatic, maxillary, palatine, ethmoid, and sphenoid bones. The orbits protect the eyes and provide structural support for various facial muscles.