Anatomy

Epithelial Cells

Cells that line the inner and outer surfaces of the body by forming cellular layers (EPITHELIUM) or masses. Epithelial cells lining the SKIN; the MOUTH; the NOSE; and the ANAL CANAL derive from ectoderm; those lining the RESPIRATORY SYSTEM and the DIGESTIVE SYSTEM derive from endoderm; others (CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM and LYMPHATIC SYSTEM) derive from mesoderm. Epithelial cells can be classified mainly by cell shape and function into squamous, glandular and transitional epithelial cells.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Cells that line the inner and outer surfaces of the body by forming cellular layers (EPITHELIUM) or masses. Epithelial cells lining the SKIN; the MOUTH; the NOSE; and the ANAL CANAL derive from ectoderm; those lining the RESPIRATORY SYSTEM and the DIGESTIVE SYSTEM derive from endoderm; others (CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM and LYMPHATIC SYSTEM) derive from mesoderm. Epithelial cells can be classified mainly by cell shape and function into squamous, glandular and transitional epithelial cells.

MeSH Record

Classification

Related Concepts

Knowledge Graph

Loading graph…

Drag nodes to rearrange; hover to trace links; click a node to open its page.

MeSH Record

Synonyms

33 entry terms
  • Cell, Epithelial
  • Cells, Epithelial
  • Epithelial Cell
  • Adenomatous Epithelial Cells
  • Columnar Glandular Epithelial Cells
  • Cuboidal Glandular Epithelial Cells
  • Glandular Epithelial Cells
  • Squamous Cells
  • Squamous Epithelial Cells
  • Transitional Epithelial Cells
  • Adenomatous Epithelial Cell
  • Cell, Adenomatous Epithelial
  • Cell, Glandular Epithelial
  • Cell, Squamous
  • Cell, Squamous Epithelial
  • Cell, Transitional Epithelial
  • Cells, Adenomatous Epithelial
  • Cells, Glandular Epithelial
  • Cells, Squamous
  • Cells, Squamous Epithelial
  • Cells, Transitional Epithelial
  • Epithelial Cell, Adenomatous
  • Epithelial Cell, Glandular
  • Epithelial Cell, Squamous
  • Epithelial Cell, Transitional
  • Epithelial Cells, Adenomatous
  • Epithelial Cells, Glandular
  • Epithelial Cells, Squamous
  • Epithelial Cells, Transitional
  • Glandular Epithelial Cell
  • Squamous Cell
  • Squamous Epithelial Cell
  • Transitional Epithelial Cell

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

15 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings chemistry, classification, cytology, drug effects, enzymology, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, radiation effects, transplantation, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

coordinate with specific tissue type if pertinent; do not confuse with EPITHELIOID CELLS (type of macrophage)

MeSH Record

History Note

1998(1965)

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Epithelial Cells (1966-1977)
  • Epithelium/cytology (1978-1997)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. A11w.436

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

QS 532.5.E7

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Epithelial Cells. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D004847. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D004847
  2. Epithelial Cells. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15176415