Endothelial cells possess distinct characteristics that define their structure and function.
General Properties of Endothelial Cells
All endothelial cells share common features that enable them to carry out their vital functions.
- Size and Shape: Endothelial cells are relatively small. They are typically no more than 0.2 μm in diameter across their thin cytoplasmic sections and 5--10 μm wide.
- Organelles: They possess relatively few mitochondria and granular and agranular endoplasmic reticulum. This reflects their specialized functions, which, while energy-dependent, do not rely on high levels of mitochondrial activity compared to other cell types.
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Size | Small, approximately 0.2 μm (thin sections) and 5-10 μm wide. |
| Organelles | Few mitochondria and granular/agranular endoplasmic reticulum. |
Endothelial cells, despite their simplicity in terms of organelle abundance, are highly specialized and perform crucial roles in maintaining vascular health and function.
