A sustentacular cell is a type of cell primarily associated with structural support, they can be found in various tissues.
* Sustentacular cells of the
olfactory epithelium
The olfactory epithelium is a specialized epithelium, epithelial tissue inside the nasal cavity that is involved in olfaction, smell. In humans, it measures
and lies on the roof of the nasal cavity about above and behind the nostrils. The olfact ...
(also called supporting cells or Sertoli cells) have been shown to be involved in the phagocytosis of dead neurons, odorant transformation and xenobiotic metabolism.
* One type of sustentacular cell is the
Sertoli cell, in the
testicle
A testicle or testis ( testes) is the gonad in all male bilaterians, including humans, and is Homology (biology), homologous to the ovary in females. Its primary functions are the production of sperm and the secretion of Androgen, androgens, p ...
. It is located in the walls of the
seminiferous tubules and supplies nutrients to sperm. They are responsible for the differentiation of spermatids, the maintenance of the
blood-testis barrier, and the secretion of
inhibin,
androgen-binding protein and
Müllerian-inhibiting factor.
* The
organ of Corti in the
inner ear
The inner ear (internal ear, auris interna) is the innermost part of the vertebrate ear. In vertebrates, the inner ear is mainly responsible for sound detection and balance. In mammals, it consists of the bony labyrinth, a hollow cavity in the ...
and
taste bud
Taste buds are clusters of taste receptor cells, which are also known as gustatory cells. The taste receptors are located around the small structures known as papillae found on the upper surface of the tongue, soft palate, upper esophagus, ...
s also contain sustentacular cells.
* Another type of sustentacular cell is found with
glomus cells of the
carotid and
aortic bodies.
* About 40% of
carcinoids have a scattering of sustentacular cells, which stain positive for
S-100.
References
Human cells
Olfactory system
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