Basement Membrane

Synonyms

Basal Lamina

Basal Laminas

Basement Lamina

Basement Laminas

Basement Membranes

Lamina, Basal

Lamina, Basement

Laminas, Basal

Laminas, Basement

Membrane, Basement

Membranes, Basement

A darkly stained mat-like EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX (ECM) that separates cell layers, such as EPITHELIUM from ENDOTHELIUM or a layer of CONNECTIVE TISSUE. The ECM layer that supports an overlying EPITHELIUM or ENDOTHELIUM is called basal lamina. Basement membrane (BM) can be formed by the fusion of either two adjacent basal laminae or a basal lamina with an adjacent reticular lamina of connective tissue. BM, composed mainly of TYPE IV COLLAGEN; glycoprotein LAMININ; and PROTEOGLYCAN, provides barriers as well as channels between interacting cell layers.