Eyelid

An eyelid is a thin piece of skin that covers and protects the eye. It is one of the thinnest areas of skin on a persons body. A muscle pulls back the eyelid to "open" the eye. The eyelids are the last muscle to stop working when the body undergoes death. People do this willingly or without thinking. The human eyelid has a row of eyelashes that help protect the eye from dust and other small objects. Eyelashes also keep sweat out of the eye. Eyelids regularly spread tears and other secretions on the surface of the eye to keep it moist. The cornea is one part of the eye that must be kept moist. Eyelids keep the eyes from drying out when asleep. Also, the blink reflex protects the eye from things touching it.

Image gallery

• Eye makeup

• Bloodvessels of the eyelids, front view

• Horizontal section through the eye of an eighteen days' embryo rabbit. X 30

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  Sagittal section of right orbital cavity

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  Sagittal section through the upper eyelid

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  The tarsi and their ligaments. Right eye; front view

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  The lacrimal apparatus. Right side

Eyelid Media

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  Eyelid affected by stye

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  A South Korean woman, before (left) and after (right) undergoing double eyelid surgery. Note the presence of the epicanthic fold in both photographs.

• Right eye of a human adult male, with natural pupils larger than average, and pronounced eyelashes