epithelium /ep·i·the·li·um/ (-the´le-um) pl. epithe´lia [Gr.] the cellular covering of internal and external body surfaces, including the lining of vessels and small cavities. It consists of cells joined by small amounts of cementing substances and is classified according to the number of layers and the shape of the cells.
ciliated epithelium that bearing vibratile cilia on the free surface.
columnar epithelium that composed of columnar cells.
cuboidal epithelium that composed of cuboidal cells.
glandular epithelium that composed of secreting cells.
olfactory epithelium pseudostratified epithelium lining the olfactory region of the nasal cavity and containing the receptors for the sense of smell. 
)
Schematic diagram of the receptors in the olfactory epithelium.
pseudostratified epithelium a type that looks stratified but is not, because its cells are arranged with their nuclei at different levels.
seminiferous epithelium stratified epithelium lining the seminiferous tubules of the testis.
simple epithelium that composed of a single layer of cells.
squamous epithelium that composed of squamous cells.
stratified epithelium that composed of cells arranged in layers.
transitional epithelium that characteristically found lining hollow organs that are subject to great mechanical change due to contraction and distention; originally thought to represent a transition between stratified squamous and columnar epithelium.
| olfactory epithelium n. Pseudostratified epithelium that contains olfactory, receptor, and nerve cells whose axons connect with the olfactory bulb of the brain. |
Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.
| ?Page tools | ||
|---|---|---|
|