epithelial

American  

[ep-uh-thee-lee-uhl] / ˌɛp əˈθi li əl /

adjective

1. Biology. being or relating to an epithelium, any tissue that lines a cavity or covers a surface in an animal or plant.

   Cheek epithelial cells are often studied in school labs as they are easily obtained through a mouth rinse or swab.

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Other Word Forms

• interepithelial
  adjective
• nonepithelial
  adjective
• subepithelial
  adjective
• unepithelial
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of epithelial

First recorded in 1935–40; epitheli(um) ( def. ) + -al ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

epithelial

In a study published in Cell Stem Cell, scientists tested retinal pigment epithelial stem cells in a phase 1/2a clinical trial.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 22, 2025

These include hormonal cancers like uterine cancer, as well as epithelial cancers, such as some types of liver cancer.

From Salon ● Jan. 24, 2025

A preprint out this week indicates currently circulating clade 2.3.4.4b viruses are better at binding to human epithelial cells in the airways than previous versions of H5N1.

From Science Magazine ● Dec. 5, 2024

Additionally, epithelial cells are found in many body systems, highlighting the possibility that these findings can translate to other organs.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 20, 2024

Rather, the article said, it was “a very aggressive adenocarcinoma of the cervix,” meaning it originated from glandular tissue in her cervix instead of epithelial tissue.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot