epithelium
nounUK /ˌɛpɪˈθiːlɪəm/
Etymology From New Latin epithēlium. By surface analysis, epi- + thel- + -ium.
1
Anatomy, Medicine, Sciences A membranous tissue composed of one or more layers of cells which forms the covering of most internal and external surfaces of the body and its organs: internally including the lining of vessels and other small cavities, and externally being the skin.
- the passenger's roving eyes paused for a moment as he listened inwardly to a nether itch, which he supposed to be (correctly, thank Log) only a minor irritation of the epithelium.1969, Vladimir Nabokov, Ada or Ardor, Penguin, published 2011, page 25:
- The sap of this species was able to cause loss of corneal epithelium 16 h after direct exposure to the sap in a 60-year-old male.2014 May 30, Victor Kuete, Toxicological Survey of African Medicinal Plants, Elsevier, →ISBN, page 505:
- Derived terms
- epithelial, epithelioid, gastroepithelium, iris pigmented epithelium, lymphoepithelium, mesenchymal epithelium, myoepithelium, neoepithelium, neuroepithelium, pavement epithelium, simple squamous epithelium, stratified columnar epithelium, subepithelium, tessellated epithelium, -thelium, transitional epithelium, trichoepithelioma, uroepithelium, vaginal epithelium