endothelium
Sign in to saveThe endothelium (: endothelia) is a single layer of squamous endothelial cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. The endothelium forms an interface between circulating blood or lymph in the lumen and the rest of the vessel wall.
Key facts
- Cell.Name
- Endothelium
- Cell.Image
- Microscopic anatomy of an artery en.svg
- Cell.Caption
- Diagram showing the location of endothelial cells
- Cell.Image2
- Microvessel.jpg
- Cell.Caption2
- Transmission electron micrograph of a microvessel showing endothelial cells, which encircle an erythrocyte (E), forming the innermost layer of the vessel, the tunica intima.
- Cell.System
- Circulatory system
- Cell.Location
- Lining of the inner surface of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels
via Wikipedia infobox
Article
14 sectionsContents
- Structure
- Terminology
- Function
- Blood vessel formation
- Host immune response
- Clinical significance
- Research
- Cancer
- Diet
- Covid-19
- History
- See also
- References
- External links
The endothelium (: endothelia) is a single layer of squamous endothelial cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. The endothelium forms an interface between circulating blood or lymph in the lumen and the rest of the vessel wall.
Endothelial cells in direct contact with blood are called vascular endothelial cells whereas those in direct contact with lymph are known as lymphatic endothelial cells. Vascular endothelial cells line the entire circulatory system, from the heart to the smallest capillaries.