Dictionary > Myoepithelial cell

Myoepithelial cell

Definition
noun, plural: myoepithelial cells
(1) (histology) A slender, spindle-shaped contractile cell forming the thin layer in an exocrine gland, particularly between the basement membrane and the luminal epithelial cells, and functions by aiding in the secretion of fluid from the gland and synthesize basement membrane elements such as fibronectin, laminin, collagen IV, and nidogen
(2) (zoology) A cell showing characteristics of both muscle and epithelium cells, as that of hydra and other cnidarians
Supplement
The myoepithelial cells resemble the smooth muscle cells in ways that they also contain arrays of myofilaments, dense bodies, and smooth muscle-specific proteins. Despite of these similarities with smooth muscle cell, the myoepithelial cell is still considered largely as an epithelial cell since it contains cytokeratins and separated from the connective tissue by a basement membrane.1
Some of the glands containing myoepithelial cells include the sweat glands, mammary glands, lacrimal glands, and salivary glands.
Word origin: myo– (muscle) + epithelial cell
Related term(s):

  • myoepithelium

Mentioned in:

  • Mammary gland
  • Reference(s):

    • 1Johnson MC. 2009. Anatomy and physiology of the breast. In: Jatoi I, Kaufmann M, editors. Management of Breast Diseases. London: Springer. p8.


    You will also like...

    Independent Assortment and Crossing Over
    Independent Assortment and Crossing Over

    This tutorial describes the independent assortment of chromosomes and crossing over as important events in meiosis. Read..

    Ploidy
    Polyploidy

    Humans are diploid creatures. This means that for every chromosome in the body, there is another one to match it. Howeve..

    Early Mammals on Earth
    Early Mammals on Earth

    The Earth's ecosphere was rapidly changing and throwing up a wide range of ecological niches that new adaptive organisms..

    Origins of Life on Earth
    Origins of Life on Earth

    Earth was created around 4.5 billion years ago and life began not long after. Primitive life likely possessed the elemen..

    Principles of Hormonal Control Systems
    Principles of Hormonal Control Systems

    Hormones are essential in the regulation of the activity of the various biological systems of the human body. The ineffi..

    kinesin motor proteins transporting molecules across microtubules
    Movement of Molecules Across Cell Membranes

    Molecules move within the cell or from one cell to another through different strategies. Transport may be in the form of..

    Related Articles...

    No related articles found

    See all Related Topics