TRANSITIONAL EPITHELIUM – 1
The so-called transitional epithelium lines the bladder and some other inner surfaces of the urinary system. At first glance, it appears to be a stratified epithelium made up of several layers of spherical or polyhedral cells. However, it has two main features that differentiate it from other stratified epithelia.
One, seen mostly in empty bladders, is the presence of large cells with a dome-shaped free surface in the superficial layer of the transitional epithelium. See three of these cells cells highlighted in blue when you place the cursor or click on the image.
The second feature that differentiate this type of epithelium is the change of its thickness and cell shapes, depending on how full the bladder is. The epithelial cells adapt to the internal pressure in the bladder, change their forms and the dome-shaped cells are not seen anymore. When the bladder is empty or slightly filled, the epithelial layer is thicker. When the bladder is full, the epithelium becomes thinner and the surface cells may become flattened.
Connective tissue is highlighted in pink when you move the mouse over the image.
The text and drawings on the next page will help you to better understand this epithelium.
One, seen mostly in empty bladders, is the presence of large cells with a dome-shaped free surface in the superficial layer of the transitional epithelium. See three of these cells cells highlighted in blue when you place the cursor or click on the image.
The second feature that differentiate this type of epithelium is the change of its thickness and cell shapes, depending on how full the bladder is. The epithelial cells adapt to the internal pressure in the bladder, change their forms and the dome-shaped cells are not seen anymore. When the bladder is empty or slightly filled, the epithelial layer is thicker. When the bladder is full, the epithelium becomes thinner and the surface cells may become flattened.
Connective tissue is highlighted in pink when you move the mouse over the image.
The text and drawings on the next page will help you to better understand this epithelium.
