Eyelid

by Robyn Ndikumana MD FRCPC
November 2, 2022

What is the eyelid?

The eyelid is a specialized area of the body designed to cover and protect the eye. The eyelid is made up of four layers: skin, skeletal muscle, tarsal plate, and conjunctiva. The skin of the eyelid is very thin and contains hair follicles. The subcutaneous tissue beneath the skin is very loose and unlike other areas of the body, it normally does not contain any fat. The skeletal muscle layer is connected to the scalp and is important for the movement of the eyelid. The tarsal plate is made up of connective tissue that provides structural support for the eyelid. The conjunctiva is a very thin layer on the inner portion of the eyelid that is connected directly with the tissue on the surface of the eye (also called the conjunctiva). The conjunctiva is important for both protecting and lubricating the eye.