Squama

Squama is a term used in anatomy to describe a thin, flat, scaly structure. It is derived from the Latin word for 'scale'. Squama can refer to various structures in the body that resemble a scale or plate, such as the squamous part of the temporal bone in the skull, or the squamous epithelium, a type of epithelial tissue.

Squamous part of temporal bone

The squamous part of the temporal bone, also known as the squama temporalis, is the largest and most superiorly positioned relative to the rest of the bone. It is thin, flat, and somewhat translucent, especially near the edges. The squamous part of the temporal bone forms the side of the skull and contributes to the zygomatic process, which forms part of the cheekbone.

Squamous epithelium

Squamous epithelium is a type of epithelial tissue that consists of a single layer of flat cells in contact with the basal lamina (one of the two layers of the basement membrane). Squamous epithelium cells have the appearance of thin, flat plates. They fit closely together in tissues like the scales of a fish. Squamous epithelium can be found lining areas where passive diffusion of gases occur. Examples of such locations include the alveoli of the lungs, the glomeruli of the kidneys, and the major cavities of the body.

See also

• Squamous cell
• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Squamous suture

References

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