Myoepithelium
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
This article defines myoepithelium as a specialized tissue found in invertebrates and vertebrates. It describes the epithelial-muscular cells of coelenterates and the smooth muscle cells of epithelial origin in vertebrates.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
MYOEPITHELIUM, muscular epithelium. This term designates: 1. Epithelial-muscular cells (Epithel-rauskelzellen), widespread among coelenterates and studied in detail in hydra. These cells are typically epithelial, of a covering or glandular character, and are located in the ectoderm or endoderm. From a narrowed basal part, a muscular fiber or band, which adheres to the supporting membrane, departs perpendicularly to the axis of the epithelium. The fibrils of the muscular part are usually smooth, but striated ones are also found in some medusae. Epithelial-muscular cells, significantly larger and of more complex structure, line the body cavity in nematodes (ascariids); they originate from the mesoderm. 2. Smooth muscles of epithelial origin (epithelogenous) in vertebrates. This includes the muscular cells of glands (poisonous in amphibians, sweat, mammary, salivary in mammals), as well as the muscles of the iris (sphincter and dilatator pupillae). In humans, M. is observed in large sweat, so-called apocrine glands (see).
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“Myoepithelium.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/myoepithelium/