Urothelium, or transitional epithelium, is a form of stratified epithelium. Transitional epithelium is a form of tissue that responds to strain by changing shape (stretchable epithelium). When relaxed, the transitional epithelium appears cuboidal, and when stretched, it appears squamous.
One of the principal purposes of this tissue is to act as an exceptionally effective permeability barrier, impenetrable to water and most tiny molecules, due to its placement in the excretory system, particularly in the ureters and urinary bladder.
Urothelium, or transitional epithelium, is a form of stratified epithelium. Transitional epithelium is a form of tissue that responds to strain by changing shape (stretchable epithelium). When relaxed, the transitional epithelium appears cuboidal, and when stretched, it appears squamous.
One of the principal purposes of this tissue is to act as an exceptionally effective permeability barrier, impenetrable to water and most tiny molecules, due to its placement in the excretory system, particularly in the ureters and urinary bladder.
It’s also known as urothelium because it’s almost entirely located in the bladder, ureters, and urethra.