Term Name: | type II pneumocyte |
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Synonyms: | AT2, ATII, cuboidal type II cell, granular pneumocyte, great alveolar cell, lung type 2 cell, lung type II cell, TII, type 2 alveolar epithelial cell, type 2 alveolocyte, type 2 pneumocyte, type II alveolar cell, type II alveolar epithelial cell, type II alveolocyte |
Definition: | A type II pneumocyte is a pneumocyte that modulates the fluid surrounding the alveolar epithelium by secreting and recycling surfactants. This cell type also contributes to tissue repair and can differentiate after injury into a type I pneumocyte. Thicker than squamous alveolar cells, have a rounded apical surface that projects above the level of surrounding epithelium. The free surface is covered by short microvilli. |
Ontology: | Cell Ontology [CL:0002063] |