Th is type of epithelium changes shape and can resemble either stratified squamous

or stratifi ed cuboidal epithelium, depending on whether it is stretched or contracted. When

transitional epithelium is contracted, the surface cells appear dome shaped; when stretched, the
epithelium appears squamous and resembles the stratifi ed epithelium of other organs.

Transitional epithelium allows distension of the urinary organs (calyces, pelvis, ureters,
bladder) during urine accumulation and contraction of these organs during the
emptying process without breaking the cell contacts in the epithelium. This change
in cell shape is owing to the unique feature of the cell membrane in the transitional
epithelium. Here are found specialized regions called plaques. When the bladder
is empty, the plaques are folded into irregular contours. During bladder fi lling and
stretching of the epithelium, the plaques disappear. In addition, because plaques
appear impermeable to fl uids and salts, transitional epithelium forms a protective
osmotic barrier against the hypertonic and cytotoxic effect of urine in the bladder
and the underlying connective tissue.

In ureters, the uterus, and digestive organs, contraction of smooth muscle produces
peristaltic contractions, which propel the contents along the lengths of these organs. In
arteries and other blood vessels, smooth muscles regulate the luminal diameters

An undistended lumen of the ureter (4) exhibits numerous longitudinal mucosal folds formed by
the muscular contractions. Th e wall of the ureter consists of mucosa, muscularis, and adventitia.
The ureter mucosa consists of transitional epithelium (7) and a wide lamina propria (5).
The transitional epithelium has several cell layers; the outermost layer is characterized by large
cuboidal cells. Th e intermediate cells are polyhedral in shape, whereas the basal cells are low
columnar, or cuboidal.
The lamina propria (5) contains fibroelastic connective tissue, which is denser with more
fibroblasts under the epithelium and looser near the muscularis. Diff use lymphatic tissue and
occasional small lymphatic nodules may be observed in the lamina propria.
In the upper ureter, the muscularis consists of two muscle layers: an inner longitudinal
smooth muscle layer (3) and a middle circular smooth muscle layer (2); these layers are not
always distinct. An additional third outer longitudinal layer of smooth muscle is found in the
lower third of the ureter near the bladder.
Th e adventitia (9) blends with the surrounding fibroelastic connective tissue and adipose
tissue (1, 10), which contain numerous arterioles (6), venules (8), and small nerves.