Question

Transitional epithelium is actually stratified squamous epithelium, but there is something special about it. How does it differ structurally from other stratified squamous epithelium?

Answer 1

Answer:

Stratified epithelium contains stratified squamous epithelium, stratified columnar epithelium and stratified cuboidal epithelium in which stratified squamous epithelium is the more common in human body.

The outer cells are squamous in shape whereas the basal cells can be cuboidal or columnar. They are present in esophagus, vagina and mouth and protect them from any tearing.

Transitional epithelium is a type of stratified squamous epithelium but differ from it because the apical cells have ability to change their shape from cuboidal to squamous in urinary bladder and ureters when urine enters the bladder. This transition is gives ability of expansion to bladder and ureters.