ependyma

[uh-pen-duh-muh]

noun

Anatomy.

1. a membrane lining the canal of the spinal cord and the ventricles of the brain.

ependyma

/ ɪˈpɛndɪmə /

noun

1. the membrane lining the ventricles of the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord

Other Word Forms

• ependymal adjective
• ependymary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ependyma¹

1870–75; < Greek epéndyma a covering, garment, equivalent to ependý ( ein ) to put on, over ( ep- ep- + en- en- ² + dýein to put on) + -ma suffix of result

Example Sentences

This ependyma is the histologic factor of the enormous weight of macrocephalic brains.

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The lateral ventricle is lined by a ciliated epithelium called the ependyma.

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The barren layer or ependyma of the cortex was in places twice as thick in this brain as in the brain of normal beings.

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In a macrocephalic case coming under the observation of Kiernan, of Chicago, in which the brain weighed 68 ounces, the ependyma was five times the normal thickness.

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