the membrane lining the ventricles of the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord
Derived forms
ependymal (eˈpendymal)
adjective
ependyma in American English
(ɛpˈɛndɪmə)
noun
the membrane lining the central cavities of the brain and spinal cord
Word origin
ModL, arbitrary use (by Rudolf Virchow (1821-1902), Ger pathologist) of Gr ependyma, an upper garment < ependyein, to put on over < epi-, over + endyein < en-, on + dyein, dip into, put on < IE base *deu-, to sink into, penetrate