ependyma
(ɛˈpɛndɪmə)
[a. Gr. ἐπένδυµα, f. ἐπενδύειν, f. ἐπί over + ἐν on + δύειν to put. Cf. Fr. épendyme.]
‘Virchow's name for the lining membrane of the cerebral ventricles and of the central spinal canal’ (Syd. Soc. Lex.). So eˈpendymal a., pertaining to the ependyma; ependyˈmitis, inflammation of the ependyma.
| 1872 Mivart Elem. Anat. 366 Another very delicate epithelial layer called the ependyma. 1874 A. E. J. Barker tr. H. Frey's Histology & Histochem. Man 575 To this [sc. the neuroglia of the spinal cord] several names have been given, such as ‘central ependymal thread’, ‘grey central nucleus’. 1887 Ellis Anat. (ed. 10) 213 Four of them [ventricles]..are lined throughout by a thin membrane named ependyma. 1889 Cent. Dict., Ependymitis. 1898 Ependymal [see astrocyte]. 1902 Cunningham Text-bk. Anat. 419 The ependymal cells. Ibid. 436 The ependymal layer. 1910 Practitioner July 65 Definite signs of post-basic meningitis or ependymitis about the fourth ventricle were found. 1962 E. C. Crosby et al. Correl. Anat. Nerv. Syst. ix. 577 The ependymal cells of the choroid plexus are usually regarded as secreting the cerebrospinal fluid. 1965 R. P. Morehead Human Path. xxxv. 1411 This condition, known as granular ependymitis, may cause obstruction of the ventricular system. |