HealthSeptember 3, 2026

epithelium

ep-ih-THEE-lee-um

Definition

The thin tissue forming the outer layer of a body's surface and lining the inner cavities and organs.

Etymology

Derived from Greek roots 'epi-' (upon) and 'thele' (nipple), the term was coined in the 18th century by Dutch anatomist Frederik Ruysch to describe the layer of cells covering the papillae of the skin.

In the news

The article explains that digestive epithelium contains estrogen receptors, making it vulnerable to the same hormonal shifts that drive aging in reproductive organs.

The Human Body May Age in Two Major Bursts, And a New Study Reveals What Drives Them

Read the full article ↗

ScienceAlert

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