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For other uses, see Eyelash (disambiguation).
N2 Human eye.jpg
Human eyelashes
Latin Cilia
TA A15.2.07.037
Anatomical terminology

An eyelash or simply lash is one of the hairs that grow at the edge of the eyelid. Eyelashes protect the eye from debris and perform some of the same function as whiskers do on a cat or a mouse in the sense that they are sensitive to being touched, thus providing a warning that an object (such as an insect or dust mite) is near the eye (which then closes reflexively).

The Greek word for eyelash is "blepharo", which is often used as a root in biological terms like Blephara and Katoblephara.



The eyelashes of the embryo develop from the ectoderm[1] between the 22nd and 26th week of pregnancy.[2] Eyelashes take about seven to eight weeks to grow back if pulled out but constant pulling can lead to permanent damage. Their color may differ from that of the hair, although they tend to be dark on someone with dark hair and lighter on someone with light hair.



Clinical significance[edit]

A stye

There are a number of diseases or disorders involving the eyelashes:


Society and culture[edit]


Green mascara


Kohl, a black powder (usually antimony sulfide or lead sulfide), has been worn as far back as the Bronze Age to protect and enhance lashes. In Ancient Egypt, it was used as well by the wealthy and the royal to protect their eyes from the sand, dust, and bugs. Modern eye makeup includes mascara, eyeliner, eye putty, and eye shadow to emphasize the eyes. The twentieth century saw the beginning of convincing false eyelashes, popular in the 1960s. There are also different tools that can be used on the lashes such as eyelash curler or mascara shield (also named mascara guard or eye makeup helper).



In other animals[edit]

A horse's eye, showing lashes

Lashes, being hair, are found in mammals. Camels' lashes are remarkably long and thick. Horses, cows, and also ostriches (vestigial feathers without barbs) feature eyelashes as well. Inherited eyelash problems are common in some breeds of dogs as well as horses.

Eyelash vipers show a set of modified scales over the eyes which look much like eyelashes. Hornbills have prominent feather eyelashes, an uncommon feature in birds.


  1. ^ Standring, Susan Neil R. Borley (2008). Gray's Anatomy: the Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice (40th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier. p. 703. ISBN 978-0443066849. 
  2. ^ "Fetal development: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia". Nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2013-03-16. 
  3. ^ "Hadza". Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender: Men and Women in the World's Cultures, Vol. 1. New York: Springer. 2003. ISBN 978-0-306-47770-6. 
  4. ^ "Plug and sew eyelashes for women". Xinhua News. 25 October 2006. Retrieved 2013-03-16. 

External links[edit]