neuroepithelium

noun, plural neu·ro·ep·i·the·li·ums, neu·ro·ep·i·the·li·a [noo r-oh-ep-i-thee-lee-uh, nyoo r-] /ˌnʊər oʊˌɛp ɪˈθi li ə, ˌnyʊər-/.

1. Embryology. the part of the embryonic ectoderm that gives rise to the nervous system.
2. Anatomy. tissue composed of epithelial cells that are specialized to serve a sensory function, as the nasal mucosa and retina.

n.

1. The part of the embryonic ectoderm that develops into the nervous system.
2. The highly specialized epithelial cells of sensory organs such as the eye and nose.