membrana nictitante
/membɾana niɡtitante/from spelling rulesfeminine
The English phrase nictitating membrane is translated into Spanish as membrana nictitante.
This term refers to the transparent protective fold of skin. It is the formal scientific way to name this biological structure.
Meaning: transparent protective fold of skin (noun)
Which one should you use?
While membrana nictitante is the scientific term, you may encounter more descriptive phrases like Párpado extra (extra eyelid) or Tercer párpado (third eyelid).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the expression Tercer párpado is frequently used to refer to this membrane. In Latin America, the variation Membrana nictante is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because the noun is feminine, you use the feminine article la to say 'the nictitating membrane' (la membrana nictitante). To form the plural, add -s to both the noun and the adjective, resulting in membranas nictitantes.
How do you pronounce it?
/membɾana niɡtitante/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, nictitante comes from the Greek nyktos for 'night', describing how the membrane acts like a curtain closing over the eye.
- The Spanish word membrana shares its Latin ancestor with the word for parchment, as both once referred to thin sheets of skin.
- The term nictitante shares a linguistic root with nictálope, a Spanish word for a person who can see in the dark.
Examples in context
- La membrana nictitante protege el ojo del polvo.The nictitating membrane protects the eye from dust.
- Observamos la membrana nictitante del cocodrilo en el zoo.We observed the crocodile's nictitating membrane at the zoo.
- Esa especie tiene una membrana nictitante muy transparente.That species has a very transparent nictitating membrane.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are watching a documentary about reptiles in their living room.
- Lucía¿Viste la membrana nictitante de ese lagarto?Did you see that lizard's nictitating membrane?
- JavierSí, es impresionante cómo funciona.Yes, it is impressive how it works.
- LucíaJavier, parece una capa de cristal muy fina.Javier, it looks like a very thin layer of glass.
- JavierEs una protección perfecta para sus ojos.It is a perfect protection for its eyes.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nictitating membrane” translations and entries membrana nictitante, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries membrana, CC BY-SA 4.0.
