May 6, 2011

A True Illustration of "Eyes Glazing Over"

Finally, someone to accurately portray how my eyes looked during operating systems class!

Photo by Toby Hudson

This obliging masked lapwing (shown below enjoying a juicy worm) has provided a prime depiction of the nictating membrane, or third eyelid, that provides eye moisture and protection to various animals while still maintaining visibility. The lapwing uses its nictating membrane to blink but closes the whole eyelid to sleep.


Photo by Toby Hudson

Shown here is a chicken blinking:

Photo source: Wikimedia Commons

A red-tailed hawklet winks for the camera:

Photo by flikr user ronmdon

And yes, this is the same nictating membrane you have seen up close and personal on your pets:

Photo source: Washington State University

--------------
Thanks to alert reader JIP for bringing this terrifying horizontal eyelid to our attention. Happy 25th birthday today!

5 comments:

Ceska said...

Hi Webmaster, commenter’s and everybody else!!! The blog was absolutely fantastic! Lots of great information and inspiration, both of which we all need! Keep 'them coming... you all do such a great job at such Concepts... can't tell you how much I, for one appreciate all you do!

Flehmen Response said...

Ceska: thanks for your kind words!

Anonymous said...

Nick Tating? Yeah, I used to work with him. He was more of a lamebrain than a membrane.

Toby Hudson said...

I'm glad you liked my lapwing. Thanks for attributing it clearly and correctly

college board said...

Having read this material, I have learned for myself a lot of the new. Thanks