Relating to both the epithelium and the underlying muscle tissue, or cells that combine epithelial and muscular functions.
Compound of epithelium + muscular (from Latin musculus 'little mouse,' named because muscles resemble mice when flexed). Used in developmental biology.
Some of the simplest animals like hydra have epitheliomuscular cells that do double duty—they're both protective skin cells AND muscle cells at the same time, saving space in tiny creatures!
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