endothelium

 
Pronunciation: /ˌɛndə(ʊ)ˈθiːlɪəm/

noun

[mass noun] Anatomy
  • the tissue which forms a single layer of cells lining various organs and cavities of the body, especially the blood vessels, heart, and lymphatic vessels. It is formed from the embryonic mesoderm. Compare with epithelium.

Derivatives

endothelial

adjective

Origin:

late 19th century: modern Latin, from endo- 'within' + Greek thēlē 'nipple'