urotheliale
Urothelium, or urothelial epithelium, is a specialized stratified lining that covers most of the urinary tract, from the renal pelvis and ureters to the bladder and the proximal urethra. It is a form of transitional epithelium that can stretch significantly as the bladder fills and empties, enabling urine storage and passage without tissue damage.
The tissue typically consists of three cell layers: basal cells at the base, intermediate cells in the
Functionally, the urothelium serves as a dynamic barrier and a reservoir for urine. It can rapidly adapt
Developmentally, the urothelium originates from endoderm and renews primarily by proliferation of basal cells, with turnover
Clinical relevance includes urothelial carcinoma, the most common cancer of the urinary tract, historically termed transitional