{"version":"1.0","provider_name":"Glossary","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary","author_name":"Glossary","author_url":"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/author\/adminglossary\/","title":"Epithelium - Definition of Epithelium","type":"rich","width":600,"height":338,"html":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"Y1wMwWSs3G\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/epithelium\/\">Epithelium<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/epithelium\/embed\/#?secret=Y1wMwWSs3G\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" title=\"&#8220;Epithelium&#8221; &#8212; Glossary\" data-secret=\"Y1wMwWSs3G\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script>\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/\/# sourceURL=https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-embed.min.js\n<\/script>\n","description":"Anatomy term used to describe the surface layer or lining of an organ. In the mouth, it is used to describe the mucosal tissue serving as the lining of the intraoral surfaces.A layer of cells lining internal plant cavities that may secrete resins or gums.One or more layers of epithelial cells, supported by the basal lamina, which covers the inner or outer surfaces of the body.The prefix \"epi-\" means on, above, or upon. The membranous cellular tissue that covers a free surface or lines a tube or cavity of an animal body. It serves to enclose and protect the other tissues, to produce secretions and excretions, and to function in assimilation.The covering of both internal and external surfaces of the body.Tissue lining internal and external body surfaces.The layer or layers of cells covering an organ, including the skin and the lining of all hollow cavities except blood vessels, lymphatics and serous cavities.The layer of cells that provide the surface covering of the body; the nonvascular cell layer of skin, gastrointestinal tract, and respiratory tract.Cell layers covering the outside body surfaces as well as forming the lining of hollow organs (e.g., the bladder) and the passages of the respiratory, digestive, and urinary tracts.Cellular layer that forms the epidermis of the skin and outermost surface of the serous mucous membranes.The layer of cells that covers the body and lines most of the structures within it. Epithelial cells thickly cover the skin; the layer may be only one cell deep in the delicate linings of body cavities, hollow organs, or structures such as blood vessels. Epithelial cells vary widely depending on the specialized function of the body part they cover.The tissue that covers the external surface of the body and lines hollow structures (except blood and lymphatic vessels). It is derived from embryonic ectoderm and endoderm. Epithelial cells may be flat and scale like (squamous), cuboidal, or columnar. The latter may bear cilia or brush borders or secrete mucus or other substances. The cells rest on a common basement membrane, which separates epithelium from underlying 'connective tissue. Epithelium may be either simple, consisting of a single layer of cells; stratified, consisting of several layers; or pseudostratified, in which the cells appear to be arranged in layers but in fact share a common basement membrane.Epithelium is the cellular layer which forms the epidermis on the skin, covers the inner surface of the bowels, and forms the lining of ducts and hollow organs, like the bladder.The layer of cells forming the epidermis of the skin and the surface layer of mucous and serous membranes. The cells rest on a basement membrane and lie in close approximation with little intercellular material between them. They are devoid of blood vessels. The epithelium may be simple, consisting of a single layer, or stratified, consisting of several layers. Cells making up the epithelium may be flat (squamous), cube-shaped (cuboidal), or cylindrical (columnar). Modified forms of epithelium include ciliated, pseudostratified, glandular, and neuroepithelium. The epithelium may include goblet cells, which secrete mucus. Stratified squamous epithelium may be keratinized for a protective function or abnormally keratinized in pathological response. Squamous epithelium is classified as endothelium, which lines the blood vessels and the heart, and mesothelium, which lines the serous cavities. Epithelium serves the general functions of protection, absorption, and secretion, and specialized functions such as movement of substances through ducts, production of germ cells, and reception of stimuli. Its ability to regenerate is excellent; it may replace itself as frequently as every 24 hr.The cells that cover the entire surface of the body and line most of the internal organs.Epithelial cells form a layer that encompasses the entire outer surface of the body and also line most of the internal structures. The shape of these cells varies depending on their specific role. The three fundamental shapes are squamous, which are thin and flat, cuboidal, and columnar. There can be further variations to these basic structures. For instance, in the respiratory tract, epithelial cells possess hair-like structures known as cilia. These cilia create a flow in the fluid surrounding them, enabling them to move dust particles from the air we breathe back up through the bronchi, which are the major air passages in our lungs, and the trachea, also known as the windpipe.The majority of internal organs that are lined with epithelium only have a single layer of cells. However, the skin, which experiences more wear and tear, is made up of multiple layers. This includes a dead outer layer of cells that is continually shed. There are certain structures that aren't lined with epithelium, including blood vessels, lymph vessels (part of the lymphatic system), and the interior of the heart. These are instead lined with a different type of tissue known as endothelium. Additionally, the chest and abdominal cavities are not lined with epithelium but with mesothelium.The cellular layer that coats external surfaces and lines internal spaces of the body is also referred to as a general term for different kinds of surface membranes. These include the skin, the interior lining of blood vessels (known as endothelium), and the membranes lining bodily cavities (called mesothelium). Specific types of epithelia are named based on their function or unique microscopic characteristics. For example, pigmented epithelium consists of cells filled with pigment granules, while ciliated epithelium features cells with hair-like, moving extensions, as seen in the nasal passages and cheeks."}