Meaning & use
epithelium
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountable or uncountabletechnicalbiologymedical
A thin layer of cells that covers the outside of the body and lines internal organs and cavities.
Grammar: Can be used as a mass noun (epithelium) or with a plural (epithelia) when referring to several layers.
Patterns
- epithelium lines something
- a layer of epithelium
- epithelial cells
The epithelium lining the stomach protects it from acid.
Damage to the epithelium can lead to infection.
The scientist examined the epithelium under a microscope.
Word forms
| plural | epithelia |
|---|
Common combinations
- simple epithelium
- Simple epithelium is only one cell thick.
- stratified epithelium
- Stratified epithelium is found in areas subject to wear and tear.
- epithelial tissue
- Epithelial tissue forms the lining of many organs.
- ciliated epithelium
- Ciliated epithelium helps move mucus in the airways.
Synonyms and how they differ
- epithelial tissue
- A broader term that includes the cells and the underlying basement membrane; epithelium often refers just to the cell layer itself.
Word family
- epithelial adjective
- Relating to or consisting of epithelium.
- epithelioma noun
- A tumor derived from epithelium, usually malignant.
Commonly confused: epithelium or epidermis? epithelium or endothelium?
epithelium vs epidermis
The epidermis is the outer layer of skin, which is a type of epithelium. Not all epithelium is epidermis.
epithelium vs endothelium
Endothelium is a specialized epithelium that lines blood vessels and the heart.
Practice
The epithelium that lines the small intestine is important for ___.
Choose one answer.
Epithelium in the small intestine is specialized for absorption. The other options describe functions of other organs or tissues.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “epithelium”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.