mesothelium

 
Pronunciation: /ˌmɛsə(ʊ)ˈθiːlɪəm, ˌmɛz-, ˌmiːs-, ˌmiːz-/

noun (plural mesothelia)

[mass noun] Anatomy
  • the epithelium that lines the pleurae, peritoneum, and pericardium.
  • Embryology the surface layer of the embryonic mesoderm, from which the mesothelium is derived.

Derivatives

mesothelial

adjective

Origin:

late 19th century: from meso- 'middle' + a shortened form of epithelium