Where is the basement membrane located?

The basement membrane is located between the epidermis and dermis in the skin. However, it can be found anywhere endothelial or epithelial tissue is present. The basement membrane lines the basal side of the epithelial and endothelial tissues. In the lungs, the basement membrane is located between the alveoli and the pulmonary capillaries. In the neuromuscular junction, it is located within the synaptic cleft. The basement membrane may also surround muscle cells, peripheral nerves, or fat cells throughout the body. Additionally, the basement membrane can separate cells from underlying connective tissue. This is done through adhesions regulated by hemidesmosomes at the epithelial-mesenchymal region.