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The basal lamina (often confused with the basement membrane, and sometimes used inconsistently in the literature, see below) is a layer on which epithelium sits and which is secreted by the epithelial cells.

It is typically about 40-50 nm thick (with exceptions such as the basal laminae that comprise the 100-200 nm glomerular basement membrane).

Contents 1 Layers 2 Basal lamina vs. basement membrane 3 Additional images 4 See also 5 References 6 External links

The layers of the basal lamina ("BL") and those of the basement membrane ("BM") are described below:

Name	Part of BL?	Part of BM?	Notes
lamina lucida / lamina rara interna[1]	yes	yes	electron-lucid layer[2] containing the glycoprotein laminin
lamina densa	yes	yes	electron-dense layer[3] composed of type IV collagen
lamina lucida / lamina rara externa	yes	yes	Similar composition to lamina rara interna. Some sources do not consider this a distinct layer.
lamina reticularis[4]	no	yes	The three above layers of the basal lamina typically sit on top of the reticular lamina, which is synthesized by cells from the underlying connective tissue and contains fibronectin. The exception is when two epithelial layers abut one another as in the alveoli of the lungs and glomeruli of the kidneys, in which the basal lamina of one epithelial layer fuses with that of the other.

Anchoring fibers composed of type VII collagen extend from the basal lamina into the underlying reticular lamina and loop around collagen bundles. Although found beneath all basal laminae, they are especially numerous in stratified squamous cells of the skin.

These layers should not be confused with the lamina propria, which is found outside the basal lamina.^[5]

The term "basal lamina" is usually used with electron microscopy, while the term "basement membrane" is usually used with light microscopy. The structure known as the basement membrane in light microscopy refers to the stained structure anchoring an epithelial layer. This encompasses the basal lamina secreted by epithelial cells and typically a reticular lamina secreted by other cells.

The basal lamina cannot be distinguished under the light microscope, but under the higher magnification of an electron microscope, the basal lamina and lamina reticularis are visibly distinct structures.

Some theorize that the lamina lucida is an artifact created when preparing the tissue, and that the basement membrane is therefore equal to the lamina densa in vivo.^[6]

Examples of basement membranes include:

• Basilar membrane
• Bruch's membrane
• Descemet's membrane
• Glomerular basement membrane

Transverse section of a villus, from the human intestine. X 350.

The basal lamina is a component of the basement membrane that separates epithelium from the underlying connective tissue.

• Alveolar-capillary barrier
• Lamina propria
• Glomerular basement membrane
• Basolateral membrane

1. ^ Histology at BU 22403loa
2. ^ UIUC Histology Subject 500
3. ^ UIUC Histology Subject 499
4. ^ Histology at BU 20904loa
5. ^ Histology at BU 22203loa
6. ^ Chan F, Inoue S (1994). "Lamina lucida of basement membrane: an artefact.". Microsc Res Tech 28 (1): 48-59. PMID 8061357. 

• 1 Kierszenbaum, AL. Histology and Cell Biology: An Introduction to Pathology. Mosby, Inc, MO: 2002. Chapter 4.

• Dorlands/Elsevier l_02/12475891 - "basal lamina"
• Dorlands/Elsevier m_08/12522447 - "basement membrane"
• Dictionary at eMedicine basement+membrane
• Anatomy Atlases - Microscopic Anatomy, plate 02.20 - "Basement Membrane"
• MeSH Basement+membrane