What term is used to describe the transitional cells' ability to change shape?

The term that describes transitional cells' ability to change shape is distensibility. Transitional epithelium is specialized to stretch and expand as the bladder fills with urine. This characteristic allows transitional cells to alter their shape from a more cuboidal form when the bladder is empty to a flatter shape when the bladder is full. Distensibility specifically refers to the capacity of these cells to accommodate varying volumes of urine by stretching, which is essential for the bladder's function as a storage organ.

The other terms may seem related but do not accurately capture the specific functional capability of transitional cells. Plasticity generally refers to the ability of a material to undergo shape changes without breaking, flexibility refers to the ability to bend without breaking, and transitioning does not designate the capacity to stretch or change shape specifically as it pertains to bladder physiology. Therefore, distensibility is the most appropriate and accurate description of the function of transitional cells in relation to their shape-changing ability.