type I pneumocyte

Term ID

CL:0002062

Synonyms

• AT1
• ATI
• lung type 1 cells
• membranous pneumocytes
• pulmonary alveolar type I cell
• small alveolar cells
• squamous alveolar cell
• squamous alveolar lining cell
• type 1 alveolar epithelial cells
• type 1 pneumocyte
• type I alveolar cells
• type I alveolar epithelial cells

Definition

A type I pneumocyte is a flattened, branched pneumocyte that covers more than 98% of the alveolar surface. This large cell has thin (50-100 nm) cytoplasmic extensions to form the air-blood barrier essential for normal gas exchange. (2)

References

• BTO:0000780
• FMA:62500

Ontology

Cell Ontology