epithelium
noun
ep·i·the·li·um
| \ ˌe-pə-ˈthē-lē-əm
\
\
plural epithelia\ ˌe-pə-ˈthē-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
Examples of epithelium in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Spark’s gene therapy is for people with a mutation in a gene called retinal pigment epithelium 65, or RPE65. — Peter Loftus, WSJ, "FDA Blesses Blindness Treatment That Could Cost $1 Million," 19 Dec. 2017 In previous studies, researchers showed that a layer of cells beneath the retina, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), ferries glucose from the blood to the retina. — Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, "Your eyes make waste. Without it, you could go blind," 13 Oct. 2017 Without good hygiene, the lenses can pick up bacteria that can permeate the corneal epithelium, a thin skin-like covering over the cornea. — Philly.com, "Are kids too young to wear contact lenses?," 21 Aug. 2017 As a result, there is damage to the nasal epithelium in the higher recesses of the nose, where the olfactory receptors are located. — Sandy Bauers, Philly.com, "Health Q&A: What it may mean when you can't smell that smell," 7 July 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'epithelium.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for epithelium
epithelium
noun
ep·i·the·li·um
| \ ˌep-ə-ˈthē-lē-əm
\
\
plural epithelia\ -lē-ə
\
\
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