From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids
The eyebrow is a bony ridge above the eye that protects the eye and bears a tuft of facial hair in most mammals. The main function of the eyebrows is to prevent moisture (mostly sweat and rain) from dripping into the eye (a critical organ). The typical curved shape of the eyebrow (with a slant on the side) and the direction in which eyebrow hairs are pointed, make sure that moisture has a tendency to flow sideways of the eyes, mainly along the side of the head but also along the nose. The protruding brow ridges of modern humans could also still play a role in this process. Eyebrows also prevent debris such as dandruff and other small objects from falling into the eyes, as well as providing a more sensitive sense for detecting objects being near the eye, like insects. Eyebrows also have a facilitary function in communication, strengthening expressions like amazement or anger.
[edit] Human eyebrows
Eyebrows, as marked by the red line
In some cultures, some people, especially women, go through the time-consuming process of plucking their eyebrow hair with tweezers to shape them; others remove excess eyebrow hair through hot wax or other techniques such as eyebrow threading, some simply rip the hair out with their fingers. One form of body piercing that is becoming increasingly popular pierces the eyebrow skin; this can create the risk of rejection or infection.
The Guinness Book of World Records states that the world record for the longest eyebrow hair is held by Frank Ames of Saranac, New York whose eyebrow hair measures just over 3 inches (7.6 centimetres).[1]
Washington D.C. City Councilman Jim Graham reports having witnessed an attempt to break this record by one of his constituents on May 15, 2006. According to the report, D.C. resident Brian Peterkin-Vertanesian had an eyebrow that measured 4.25 inches.[2]
[edit] References
[edit] See also
- Eyebrow threading
- Trichotillomania
- Unibrow
