What is the type of membrane that coats the inner surfaces of the eyelids?

The palpebral conjunctiva is the correct answer because it specifically refers to the thin membrane that lines the inner surfaces of the eyelids. This membrane is a part of the conjunctiva, which serves to protect the eye and keep it moist by covering the inner eyelids and the sclera (the white part of the eye) up to the edge of the cornea.

In this context, the palpebral conjunctiva is crucial for maintaining eye health, as it aids in lubrication and protection from foreign particles, as well as helping to foster a smooth surface when blinking. This membrane plays an essential role in the overall function of the eye, particularly in coordination with tears and the other components of the tear film.

While the bulbar conjunctiva is another type of conjunctiva that covers the sclera and connects with the palpebral conjunctiva at the fornix, it does not line the eyelids themselves. The corneal epithelium is the outer layer of the cornea, crucial for transparency and protection, but it does not pertain to the inner surfaces of the eyelids. The retinal layer is part of the eye's interior and involved in vision, but it does not relate to the eyelid at all. Therefore,