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Medical Definition of Palpebra tertia
1. The semilunar fold formed by the palpebral conjunctiva at the medial angle of the eye, a fold of the conjunctival mucous membrane found in many animals; normally partially hidden in the medial canthus of the eye when at rest, it may be extended to cover part or all of the cornea in a winking-like action to clean the cornea, as in birds. Synonym: membrana nictitans, nictitating membrane, palpebra III, palpebra tertia, third eyelid. Synonym: plica lunata, plica semilunaris of eye, semilunar conjunctival fold. (05 Mar 2000)