epithelium
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.ep·i·the·li·um
noun \ˌe-pə-ˈthē-lē-əm\ plural ep·i·the·lia\-lē-ə\
Definition of EPITHELIUM
1
: a membranous cellular tissue that covers a free surface or lines a tube or cavity of an animal body and serves especially to enclose and protect the other parts of the body, to produce secretions and excretions, and to function in assimilation
2
: a usually thin layer of parenchyma that lines a cavity or tube of a plant
See Origin of EPITHELIUM
New Latin, from epi- + Greek thēlē nipple — more at feminine
First Known Use: 1748
ep·i·the·li·um
noun \ˌep-ə-ˈthē-lē-əm\ (Medical Dictionary)plural ; ep·i·the·lia \-lē-ə\ (audio pronunciation)
Medical Definition of EPITHELIUM
: a membranous cellular tissue that covers a free surface or lines a tube or cavity of an animal body and serves especially to enclose and protect the other parts of the body, to produce secretions and excretions, and to function in assimilation
Illustration of EPITHELIUM
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