Lamina lucida

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Lamina Lucida

Lamina lucida (pronunciation: /ˈlæmɪnə ˈluːsɪdə/) is a layer of the basement membrane that lies adjacent to the epithelial cells. It is also known as the clear layer due to its appearance under the electron microscope.

Etymology

The term "lamina lucida" is derived from Latin, where "lamina" means "thin layer" and "lucida" means "clear" or "bright".

Structure

The lamina lucida is part of the basement membrane, a specialized form of extracellular matrix. It is located between the lamina densa and the epithelial cells. The lamina lucida is composed of laminin, a type of protein, and glycoproteins, which are proteins that have carbohydrates attached to them.

Function

The lamina lucida plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of the epithelium. It acts as a barrier, preventing the movement of proteins and other molecules from the epithelium into the underlying connective tissue. It also plays a role in cell adhesion, helping to anchor the epithelial cells to the basement membrane.

Related Terms

  • Basement membrane: A thin, fibrous, extracellular matrix of tissue that separates the lining of an internal or external body surface from underlying connective tissue.
  • Epithelial cells: Cells that line the surfaces of organs and structures throughout the body.
  • Lamina densa: The dense layer of the basement membrane, located beneath the lamina lucida.
  • Laminin: A family of proteins that are an integral part of the structural scaffolding in almost every tissue of an organism.
  • Glycoproteins: Proteins that have carbohydrates attached to them.

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski