epithelium

/,epi'θ:ljəm/

Thân thiện

A diagram shows the epithelium lining the inside of a human cheek.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Membranous tissue covering internal organs and other internal surfaces of the body: A thin layer of cells that forms a continuous sheet lining various cavities and surfaces inside the body, including organs, blood vessels, and the skin's outer layer. It serves protective, secretory, and absorptive functions.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The epithelium of the intestine is specialized for nutrient absorption.
  • Damage to the respiratory epithelium can lead to breathing difficulties.
  • A biopsy examined the epithelium lining the stomach.

Advanced Usage

• "Simple epithelium": Refers to epithelium consisting of a single layer of cells.
  • Simple squamous epithelium lines the air sacs of the lungs.
• "Stratified epithelium": Refers to epithelium composed of multiple layers of cells.
  • The skin's outer layer is a protective stratified squamous epithelium.
• "Glandular epithelium": Epithelium specialized for secretion.
  • Glandular epithelium forms the secretory units of the pancreas.

Variants and Related Words

• Epithelial (adj): Of or relating to epithelium.
  • The epithelial layer acts as a barrier.
• Epithelioid (adj): Resembling epithelium.
  • The tumor had an epithelioid cell morphology.

Synonyms

• Mucous membrane (when referring to epithelium lining body cavities open to the exterior).
• Tissue layer (a general, less specific term).

Related Phrases (Scientific Context)

• Epithelial cell: An individual cell that is part of an epithelium.
  • Epithelial cells are tightly packed together.
• Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT): A biological process where epithelial cells lose their properties.
  • EMT is a critical process in embryonic development and cancer metastasis.

Học thuật

Noun

1. membranous tissue covering internal organs and other internal surfaces of the body

Từ đồng nghĩa

• epithelial tissue