cilia

(anatomy) Eyelashes.
(cell and molecular biology) Relatively short, centriole-based, hairlike processes on certain anatomical cells and motile organisms.

[L.] plural of cilium.
1. the eyelashes.
2. minute hairlike processes that extend from a cell surface, composed of nine pairs of microtubules around a core of two microtubules. They beat rhythmically to move the cell or to move fluid or mucus over the surface. Of particular importance in the respiratory epithelium, contributing greatly to the mucociliary escalator.

• c.-associated respiratory (CAR) bacillus — gram-negative bacterium associated with severe respiratory disease in rats and possibly mice; usually associated with Mycoplasma pulmonis infection.
• conjunctival c. — see ectopic cilia (below).
• ectopic c. — arise from the conjunctival surface of the eyelids and cause corneal irritation.
• eyelid c. — the eyelashes; smaller and shorter on the lower lids and may be absent altogether in dogs and pigs. There are also longer tactile hairs on the external surface of the eyelids.
• immotile c. syndrome — see immotile cilia syndrome.