epithelium

From New Latin epithēlium, from Ancient Greek ἐπί (epí, “on, atop, epi-”) + θηλή (thēlḗ, “nipple”).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˌɛpɪˈθiːlɪəm/

epithelium (plural epitheliums or epithelia)

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.

   Synonym: epithelial tissue

• epithelial
• neoepithelium

• endothelium
• epidermis