Epithelialize

/ɛˌpɪˈθɪliəlaɪz/ verb

Definition

To form or develop epithelial tissue; to cover with epithelium, especially during wound healing or tissue regeneration.

Etymology

From epithelium with the verb suffix -alize. This term emerged in medical language to describe the biological process of epithelial cells spreading to cover exposed tissue.

Kelly Says

When you get a scrape, your body rushes to epithelialize the wound—epithelial cells around the edges multiply and slide across the exposed area like a biological bandage forming right on your skin.

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