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.
transitional epithelium,
epithelium [ep″ĭ-the´le-um] (pl. epithe´lia) (Gr.)
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. 
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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.
| transitional epithelium n. Stratified epithelium in which the individual layers are formed by a transformation of the cells from the layer below. |
transitional epithelium,
a form of stratified epithelium found characteristically in the mucous membrane of ureter and bladder; in the contracted condition it consists of many cell layers, whereas in the stretched condition fewer layers can be distinguished.
epithelium [ep″ĭ-the´le-um] (pl. epithe´lia) (Gr.)
the cellular covering of internal and external surfaces of the body, including the lining of vessels and other small cavities. It consists of cells joined by small amounts of cementing substances. Epithelium is classified into types on the basis of the number of layers deep and the shape of the superficial cells.
ciliated epithelium epithelium bearing vibratile, hairlike processes (cilia) on its free surface.
columnar epithelium epithelium whose cells are of much greater height than width.
cuboidal epithelium epithelium whose cells are of approximately the same height and width, and appear square in transverse section.
germinal epithelium thickened peritoneal epithelium covering the gonad from earliest development; formerly thought to give rise to germ cells.
glandular epithelium that composed of secreting cells.
pigmentary epithelium (pigmented epithelium) that made of cells containing granules of pigment.
sense epithelium (sensory epithelium) neuroepithelium (def. 1).
simple epithelium that composed of a single layer of cells.
squamous epithelium that composed of flattened platelike cells.
stratified epithelium epithelium made up of cells arranged in layers.
transitional epithelium a type characteristically found lining hollow organs, such as the urinary bladder, that are subject to great mechanical change due to contraction and distention; originally thought to represent a transition between stratified squamous and columnar epithelium.
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