Why do we say basolateral membrane and not basal?

[red65]

Hello everyone, I am studying the physiology of the kidneys and in all of the textbooks they say basolateral membrane referring to the basal membrane, does anyone know why we don't just say basal membrane?

 

[BillTre]

Depending on the structure of the membrane you are talking about, basolateral might be referring to parts of the cell with the same function (transferring stuff across a membrane, which is what the kidney does a lot of). If that were the case the lateral membranes would provide an increase in surface area through which transfers could occur. If so, this would be a functional issue influencing the name used.

In general, there is a cytological distinction in many animal cells between the apical and basal sides of the cell. All epithelial cells have this distinction.

 

[atyy]

It's because the membrane is both on the "bottom" (basal) and "side" (lateral) of the cell.
https://www.wikidoc.org/index.php/Basolateral_membrane