[ ˌɛpɪ'θi:lɪəm ]
■ noun ( plural epithelia -lɪə ) Anatomy the thin tissue forming the outer layer of the body's surface and lining the alimentary canal and other hollow structures, especially that part derived from the embryonic ectoderm and endoderm. Compare with endothelium .
Derivatives
epithelial adjective
Origin
C18: mod. L., from epi- + Gk thēlē 'teat'.