Epithelium

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /É›pɪˈθiːlɪəm/

Origin

Modern Latin epithēlium, from Ancient Greek ἐπί (epi, "on, atop, epi-") + θηλή (thēlē, "nipple").

Full definition of epithelium

Noun

1. (anatomy) 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.
• 1969, Vladimir Nabokov, Ada or Ardor, Penguin 2011, p. 25: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.

Synonyms

• epithelial tissue

Derived terms

• epithelial