Existing or occurring outside of cells or corpuscles, particularly in biology and chemistry.
From Latin 'extra' (outside) + 'corpusculum' (small body, diminutive of corpus). This technical term developed in the 19th century as microscopy allowed scientists to distinguish what was inside versus outside cellular structures.
Scientists use this term to talk about what's happening in the spaces between your cells—like how nutrients move through tissue fluid rather than staying locked inside cells, which is crucial for how your body actually gets fed!
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