Which type of epithelium lines the urinary bladder and is capable of stretching when the bladder fills?

• A Stratified squamous non-keratinized epithelium
• B Transitional epithelium (urothelium) ✓
• C Simple columnar epithelium
• D Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium

Explanation

Transitional epithelium (urothelium) is a specialized stratified epithelium found in the urinary tract from the renal pelvis to the proximal urethra. Its surface cells (umbrella or facet cells) are large, dome-shaped, and contain abundant cytoplasm that allows them to flatten when the bladder distends and round up when it contracts. Fusiform vesicles in the surface cells provide additional membrane reserve during stretching.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.