endothelium

noun

en·​do·​the·​li·​um ˌen-də-ˈthē-lē-əm How to pronounce endothelium (audio)
-dō-
plural endothelia ˌen-də-ˈthē-lē-ə How to pronounce endothelium (audio)
-dō-
1
: an epithelium of mesodermal origin composed of a single layer of thin flattened cells that lines internal body cavities and the lumens of vessels
2
: the inner layer of the seed coat of some plants
endothelial adjective

Examples of endothelium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The corneal endothelium is a thin layer of cells that forms the inner lining of the cornea. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 17 Feb. 2024 These complexes establish productive cellular infections in macrophages that result in the release of high concentrations of toxic NS1, a viral protein that damages cells' endothelium and produces dengue shock syndrome. Scientific American, 19 Sep. 2023 The innermost layer is known as the endothelial layer; exercise has been shown to influence the activity of the endothelium. Amber Sayer, Health, 25 Sep. 2023 Mamta Jain, $2.5 million for screening, treatment and prevention of Hepatocellular Cancer-Hepatitis C. Lance S. Terada, $1.05 million for autophagy and tumor endothelium. Dallas News, 16 Feb. 2023 The root of the problem is that even small amounts of the chemicals in cigarette smoke cause rapid inflammation in the endothelium, or lining, of blood vessels and in the lungs. Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 10 Dec. 2010 Ramasamy and his researchers have found evidence of the virus remaining within the endothelial cells of penile tissue as much as seven months after infection, which suggests that direct damage to cavernosal endothelium may affect erectile function. Carolyn Barber, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2022 There is also a growing body of evidence suggesting that COVID affects the vascular endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels, according to cardiologist Bernard Gersh, a professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. Mariana Lenharo, Scientific American, 16 Mar. 2022 The Covid-19 virus, known as SARS-CoV-2, damages or inflames the endothelium, which is the innermost single layer of cells lining blood vessels. Suryatapa Bhattacharya, WSJ, 10 Dec. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'endothelium.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from end- + -thelium (as in epithelium)

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of endothelium was in 1872

Dictionary Entries Near endothelium

Cite this Entry

“Endothelium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endothelium. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

endothelium

noun
en·​do·​the·​li·​um ˌen-də-ˈthē-lē-əm How to pronounce endothelium (audio)
plural endothelia -lē-ə How to pronounce endothelium (audio)
: an epithelium of mesoblastic origin composed of a single layer of thin flattened cells that lines internal body cavities (as the serous cavities or the interior of the heart)

More from Merriam-Webster on endothelium

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