Transitional Epithelium
Transitional epithelium is a form of stratified epithelium characteristic of the bladder and ureter. As urinary passages are distended or empty, the physical state of the lining is modified. When the bladder is empty the epithelium has many layers and the surface cells are cuboidal with a dome-shaped surface. When full, the bladder epithelium is stretched, the number of cell layers reduced, and the superficial cells are squamous. The cells of this epithelium are specialized for this purpose.