Basal cell

A basal cell is a cell type that is present in many forms of epithelium. It is generally located between the basement membrane and the rest of the epithelium. Examples include:

• The epidermal cell in the stratum basale
• The airway basal cell, an epithelial cell in the respiratory epithelium
• Basal cells of prostate glands

Basal cells are found in the lowest layer of the epidermis. In order to replenish the squamous cells that wear down the skin's surface, these cells divide continuously. These cells become flatter as they advance through the epidermis and give rise to squamous cells. They can interact with neurons, the basement membrane, columnar epithelium, and the underlying mesenchymal cells from this pivotal position. They also engage in interactions with dendritic, lymphocyte, and inflammatory cells. The lateral intercellular gap between basal cells is where these interactions occur. The most frequent types of skin cancer are basal cell and squamous cell. More than 1 million instances of non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) are expected to be diagnosed in the United States each year, and the incidence is rapidly increasing. Basal and squamous cell malignancies, while seldom metastatic, can cause significant local damage and disfigurement, affecting large sections of soft tissue, cartilage, and bone.

• 
  Prostate gland microanatomy, with basal cells found between the luminal cells and the basement membrane.
• 
  Cells of the respiratory epithelium. Basal cells shown in purple, ciliated cells shown in brown, goblet cells shown in green, and submucosal gland shown in blue.