neuroepithelium

[ noor-oh-ep-i-thee-lee-uhm, nyoor- ]

noun

, plural neu·ro·ep·i·the·li·ums, neu·ro·ep·i·the·li·a [n, oo, r-oh-ep-i-, thee, -lee-, uh, ny, oo, r-].

1. Embryology. the part of the embryonic ectoderm that gives rise to the nervous system.
2. Anatomy. tissue composed of epithelial cells that are specialized to serve a sensory function, as the nasal mucosa and retina.

Word History and Origins

Origin of neuroepithelium¹

First recorded in 1880–85; neuro- + epithelium