Plural of epithelium; the tissues that form the outer layer of skin and line internal organs and body cavities in animals.
From 'epithelium,' combining Greek 'epi' (upon) and Latin 'thele' (nipple), originally meaning tissue 'upon the nipple' before broadening to mean all surface-covering tissues. The Latinized plural 'epitela' is used in medical contexts.
The word 'epithelium' originated from a funny medical misunderstanding—early anatomists saw the delicate tissue covering organs and thought it was specifically related to nipples ('thele'), but it turned out to be the universal protective lining for all body surfaces.
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