epithelium

[ep-uh-thee-lee-uh m]

noun, plural ep·i·the·li·ums, ep·i·the·li·a

[ep-uh-thee-lee-uh] /ˌɛp əˈθi li ə/. Biology.

any animal tissue that covers a surface, or lines a cavity or the like, and that, in addition, performs any of various secretory, transporting, or regulatory functions.

Origin of epithelium

1740–50; < New Latin < Greek epi- epi- + thēl(ḗ) teat + New Latin -ium -ium

Related formsep·i·the·li·al, adjectivein·ter·ep·i·the·li·al, adjectivenon·ep·i·the·li·al, adjectivesub·ep·i·the·li·al, adjectiveun·ep·i·the·li·al, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for epithelium

Historical Examples of epithelium

Epithelium: the layer of cells which covers a surface or lines a cavity.
Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology
John. B. Smith
Disease is just as liable to begin its work in the fascia and epithelium as any other place.
Philosophy of Osteopathy
Andrew T. Still
In stripping the head from the cornea some of the epithelium may be torn off with it.
A System of Operative Surgery, Volume IV (of 4)
Various
In this condition the thickness of the epithelium is about 0.025 mm.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1
Francis Maitland Balfour
The thickness of the epithelium at this stage is about 0.04 mm.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1
Francis Maitland Balfour

British Dictionary definitions for epithelium

epithelium

noun plural -liums or -lia (-lɪə)

an animal tissue consisting of one or more layers of closely packed cells covering the external and internal surfaces of the body. The cells vary in structure according to their function, which may be protective, secretory, or absorptive

Derived Formsepithelial, adjective

Word Origin for epithelium

C18: New Latin, from epi- + Greek thēlē nipple

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for epithelium

1748, Modern Latin (Frederick Ruysch), from Greek epi "upon" (see epi-) + thele "teat, nipple" (see fecund). Related: Epithelial.

epithelium in Medicine

epithelium

[ĕp′ə-thē′lē-əm]

n. pl. ep•i•the•li•a (-lē-ə)

Membranous tissue composed of one or more layers of cells separated by very little intercellular substance and forming the covering of most internal and external surfaces of the body and its organs.

Related formsep′i•the′li•al adj.

epithelium in Science

epithelium

[ĕp′ə-thē′lē-əm]

Plural epithelia

The thin, membranous tissue that lines most of the internal and external surfaces of an animal's body. Epithelium is composed of one or more layers of densely packed cells. In vertebrates, it lines the outer layer of the skin (epidermis), the surface of most body cavities, and the lumen of fluid-filled organs, such as the gut or intestine.

Related formsepithelial adjective