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The nictitating membrane of a masked lapwing as it closes over the left eye, originating from the medial canthus. The nictitating membrane (from Latin nictare, to blink) is a transparent or translucent third eyelid present in some animals that can be drawn across the eye from the medial canthus to protect and moisten it while maintaining vision.
It is loose, thus eye movements are not restricted by it. Only one species of primate, the Calabar angwantibo, is known to have a functioning nictitating membrane. [4] With ocular allergies, the lacrimal caruncle and plica semilunaris may be inflamed and pruritic (itchy) due to histamine release in the tissue and tear film.
The Harderian gland is a gland found within the eye's orbit that occurs in tetrapods (reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals) that possess a nictitating membrane. [1] The gland can be compound tubular or compound tubuloalveolar, and the fluid it secretes (mucous, serous or lipid) varies between different groups of animals.
Each eye has closable upper and lower lids and a nictitating membrane which provides further protection, especially when the frog is swimming. [84] Members of the aquatic family Pipidae have the eyes located at the top of the head, a position better suited for detecting prey in the water above. [ 83 ]
In squamate reptiles both the nictitating membrane and the eyelids have been suggested as the evolutionary origin of the brille, but embryonic studies supports the fusion of the dorsal and ventral eyelids. [1] Brille means "spectacles" or "glasses" in German, Norwegian, and Danish.
Their eyes have nictitating membranes – this is a transparent third eyelid. When the beaver dives under the water, it is drawn across to protect the eye. It’s like having in-built swimming ...
Only one species of primate, the Calabar angwantibo, is known to have a functioning nictitating membrane. [ 44 ] The orbitalis muscle is a vestigial or rudimentary nonstriated muscle (smooth muscle) of the eye that crosses from the infraorbital groove and sphenomaxillary fissure and is intimately united with the periosteum of the orbit.
There is also a third eyelid on each eye, the nictitating membrane. Five visual opsin genes are present, suggesting good colour vision , possibly even at low light levels. [ 62 ]