EPITHELIOID Meaning and
Definition
-
Epithelioid is an adjective that describes a specific cellular morphology or tissue appearance found in various biological structures. It is derived from the term epithelium, which refers to the outer layer of cells that covers surfaces in the body.
In the field of pathology, epithelioid refers to the appearance of certain cells or tissues when they exhibit characteristics similar to those of epithelial cells. Epithelial cells typically have a polygonal shape with distinct cell borders, resulting in a cobblestone-like appearance. When other types of cells display a similar appearance, they are termed epithelioid cells. These cells can be found in a range of pathological conditions, such as granulomas, certain types of tumors (like melanoma), or other inflammatory processes.
Epithelioid cells are usually larger than ordinary epithelial cells and have a round or oval nucleus. They often contain abundant cytoplasm, which may be eosinophilic (pink-staining) or occasionally vacuolated (containing clear fluid-filled spaces). These distinctive cellular features aid in distinguishing epithelioid cells from other cell types under microscopic examination.
Additionally, the term epithelioid can also describe the appearance of a tumor or lesion. When a tumor is diagnosed as epithelioid, it means that its cellular structure closely resembles epithelial tissue. This can have implications for treatment decisions and prognosis.
Overall, epithelioid describes a cellular or tissue appearance reminiscent of epithelium and is commonly used in pathology to describe specific cellular or tumor characteristics.
-
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for EPITHELIOID
Etymology of EPITHELIOID
The word "epithelioid" is derived from two root words: "epithelium" and "oid".
The term "epithelium" comes from the Greek word "epithelion", which means "a covering" or "surface". In biology, an epithelium refers to a layer or layers of cells that line the internal and external surfaces of the body. The word "epithelium" was first used in biological contexts in the early 19th century.
The suffix "-oid" is also of Greek origin and means "resembling" or "like". It is commonly used in English to form adjectives or nouns indicating similarity or resemblance to something.
Similar spelling words for EPITHELIOID
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
