Final answer:
The conjunctiva is the mucous membrane that covers the inner surface of the eyelids and the anterior surface of the eye, not to be confused with the cornea, sclera, or retina.
Step-by-step explanation:
The thin, transparent mucous membrane that covers the inner surface of the eyelids and the anterior surface of the eye is called the conjunctiva. This membrane extends over the white areas of the eye, known as the sclera, and connects the eyelids to the eyeball, playing a crucial role in maintaining the moisture and protection of the eye by producing tears that wash away foreign particles. It is the palpebral conjunctiva specifically that is attached to the inner surface of the eyelids. The cornea, by contrast, is the clear, protective outer layer at the front of the eye that allows light to enter, but it is not the mucous membrane in question. The sclera is the white part of the eye composed of collagen and elastic fibers, and the retina is the innermost layer of the eye containing the nervous tissue responsible for photoreception.