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Glite Dictionary
🧬 Flat cells 🐍 Scaly surface
squamous

squamous

1 8.5
Flat, thin cells that look like small scales in the skin
  • adjective
  • /ˈskweɪməs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : esquamoso
  • The sinus tract was lined at most places by stratified squamous epithelium.
  • squamous cell carcinoma
  • squamous cell
  • squamous epithelium

So surveillance is really important for the HPV that eventually becomes squamous cell carcinoma.

Examples

  • The doctor explained that the squamous cells in the lining of the mouth are vital for protection against infections.

  • What you see is a change from the squamous epithelium shown on the left.

  • However, in more recent studies, lower rates of squamous cell carcinoma have been reported.

    Academic text (2002)

  • Look in the background of this shot, the walls here, they are squamous epithelial cells, the ones we find in the mouth.

  • The specimen also contained numerous goblet cells and a few islands of squamous epithelium.

    Academic text (2005)

  • Histologic analysis identified a thickened squamous epithelium with no evidence of any malignancy.

    Academic text (2005)

  • The rest of the subepidermal area beneath the squamous epithelium showed normal dermis, adnexa, and subcutaneous tissue.

    Academic text (2007)

  • During the examination, we observed that the squamous epithelium was undergoing significant changes.

  • Her research focused on the role of squamous cells in maintaining the integrity of the skin barrier.

Synonyms

squamosa
vssquamous
  • Specialized
9.9

A surface or tissue that looks like fish scales

emphasizes flat thin shapes at cell or tissue scale rather than general resemblance
squamosal
vssquamous
  • Specialized
9.9

With small overlapping plates like fish scales

focuses on flat thin cell or tissue appearance not just surface texture
squamulose
vssquamous
  • Specialized
9.9

A plant or lichen surface covered with many small scales like tiny flat pieces

applies to flat thin cell or tissue shapes rather than surface coverings

Compounds

squamous cell
  • Specialized
1 5.8

A thin, flat cell that forms the outer layer of the skin and some body surfaces

squamous cell carcinoma
  • Specialized
1 4.6

A common skin cancer that starts in the flat cells of the middle and outer layers of skin

How Flat

platelike
5.6
squamous
  • Specialized
1 8.5
flattened
2.8
rounded
1 2.4

Surface Forms

squamous positive

Morphology

squamous = squam + ous

Derived from the combining form 'squam-' (scale) with the suffix '-ous'; because 'squam-' is not an English standalone morpheme and the usage is specialized (anatomical/biological), the connection is not clear to average learners.

Etymology

Squamous comes from the Latin word squama 'scale', so picture tiny, flat pieces like fish scales. That's why in biology squamous describes cells that are 'flat and scale-like'.