Final answer:
The urinary bladder is lined with transitional epithelium, which can expand and fold as the bladder fills and empties, handling large volume fluctuations and making it unique to the urinary system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cell type that lines the inside of the urinary bladder is known as transitional epithelium, or uroepithelial cells. These cells are unique to the urinary system, and their distinctive feature is their ability to handle volume fluctuations as the bladder fills and empties.
In an empty bladder, the transitional cells are piled up with a folded epithelial lining, resembling columnar epithelia. As the bladder fills with urine and expands, the cells unfold and the epithelial lining becomes thinner, transitioning into a more squamous appearance, allowing a larger volume to be accommodated.
This structural adaptation ensures that the bladder can store variable amounts of urine efficiently, ranging up to 500-600 mL in adults.
The transitional epithelia reflect this functionality, displaying a remarkable ability to stretch and compress, making them an essential component of the urinary system that includes the bladder, ureters, and part of the urethra.