mesothelium

noun

me·​so·​the·​li·​um ˌme-zə-ˈthē-lē-əm 

ˌmē-,

-sə-

plural mesothelia ˌme-zə-ˈthē-lē-ə 

ˌmē-,

-sə-

: epithelium derived from mesoderm that lines the body cavity of a vertebrate embryo and gives rise to epithelia (as of the peritoneum, pericardium, and pleura), striated muscle, heart muscle, and several minor structures

mesothelial

ˌme-zə-ˈthē-lē-əl 

ˌmē-

-sə-

adjective

Examples of mesothelium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And their effects were nigh indistinguishable when Carbone tested them on cells taken from the lining around the pleura (the mesothelium, from which mesothelioma gets its name). —Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 26 July 2011

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from mes- + epithelium

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

mesothelium

noun

me·​so·​the·​li·​um -ˈthē-lē-əm 

plural mesothelia -lē-ə 

: epithelium derived from mesoderm that lines the body cavity of a vertebrate embryo and gives rise to epithelia (as of the peritoneum, pericardium, and pleurae), striated muscle, heart muscle, and several minor structures

mesothelial

-lē-əl 

adjective