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Glite Dictionary
🧠 Lining the brain 🧬 A brain cell
ependymal

ependymal

9.9
Relating to the thin inner layer that lines spaces in the brain and spine
  • adjective
  • /ɪˈpɛndɪməl/
  • Specialized
: ependimal
  • The ependymal cells play a crucial role in cerebrospinal fluid production.

Examples

  • The ependymal layer plays a crucial role in producing cerebrospinal fluid.

  • Damage to ependymal cells can affect the flow of fluid in the central nervous system.

  • Researchers studied the ependymal tissue to understand its function in brain health.

  • Researchers study ependymal tissue to understand spinal cord injuries.

  • The ependymal layer is vital for maintaining the health of the brain's ventricular system.

  • Injuries to the spinal cord can lead to damage in the ependymal membrane, affecting cerebrospinal fluid circulation.

  • The scientists focused on the ependymal cells to explore their role in neurological disorders.

Surface Forms

ependymal positive

Morphology

ependymal = ependyma (semi-transparent) = ependyma + al

The adjective is a regular suffixal derivative of the technical noun ependyma, but the base term is specialized and unlikely to be familiar to many learners.

Etymology

Ependymal comes from the Greek word ependyma, made of epi- 'on' and a part that means 'covering', similar to the epi- in epidermis. So, ependymal means 'a layer on' the brain's ventricles and spinal canal, which explains why it is the thin lining that covers those spaces.