part of epithelial cell respiratory epithelium intestinal epithelium goblet cell A unicellular mucous gland found in the epithelium of various mucous membranes, especially that of the respiratory passages and intestines. Droplets of mucigen collect in the upper part of the cell and distend it, while the basal end remains slender, and the cell assumes the shape of a goblet. BTO:0001540 BrendaTissueOBO beaker cell caliciform cell chalice cell villus mucous cell