A basal cell is a
cell type
A cell type is a classification used to identify cells that share morphological or phenotypical features. A multicellular organism may contain cells of a number of widely differing and specialized cell types, such as muscle cells and skin cell ...
that is present in many forms of
epithelium. It is generally located between the
basement membrane and the rest of the epithelium. Examples include:
* The epidermal cell in the
stratum basale
The ''stratum basale'' (basal layer, sometimes referred to as ''stratum germinativum'') is the deepest layer of the five layers of the epidermis, the external covering of skin in mammals.
The ''stratum basale'' is a single layer of columnar or ...
* The
airway basal cell Airway basal cells are found deep in the respiratory epithelium, attached to, and lining the basement membrane.
Basal cells are the stem cells or progenitors of the airway epithelium and can differentiate to replenish all of the epithelial cells ...
, an epithelial cell in the respiratory epithelium
*Basal cells of
prostate
The prostate is both an accessory gland of the male reproductive system and a muscle-driven mechanical switch between urination and ejaculation. It is found only in some mammals. It differs between species anatomically, chemically, and phys ...
glands
File:Prostate gland microanatomy.png, Prostate
The prostate is both an accessory gland of the male reproductive system and a muscle-driven mechanical switch between urination and ejaculation. It is found only in some mammals. It differs between species anatomically, chemically, and phys ...
gland microanatomy, with basal cells found between the luminal cells and the basement membrane.
File:Respiratory Tract Cells.png, Cells of the respiratory epithelium. Basal cells shown in purple, ciliated cells shown in brown, goblet cells shown in green, and submucosal gland shown in blue.
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Cell biology