The plica semilunaris is a small, crescent-shaped fold of bulbar conjunctiva at the inner corner of the eye, just lateral to the caruncle. It is generally considered a remnant of the third eyelid (nictitating membrane) seen in many animals. It gives the eye extra slack to rotate outward.
| Location | Medial canthus, lateral to the lacrimal caruncle |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Infratrochlear nerve (CN V1) |
| Blood Supply | Conjunctival vessels from the palpebral arcades |
Allows free lateral movement of the eye and helps gather tears and debris toward the inner corner.
The fold allows the eyeball to turn laterally without stretching the conjunctiva. Its goblet cells add mucin to the tear film. It can become inflamed with conjunctivitis or trap small foreign bodies.
Small particles can lodge in the plica and caruncle area, causing irritation until washed out or removed.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
