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Types of epithelial tissue

Simple epithelium

Simple epithelium is composed of a single layer of cells and functions as a lining for body
cavities, ducts etc. Compound epithelium consists of two or more cell layers and has
protective function as it does in our skin.

Simple squamous epithelium or pavement epithelium

The squamous epithelium is made of a single thin layer

of flattened cells with irregular boundaries, found in the
walls of blood vessels and air sacs of lungs. Simple
squamous epithelium cells have the appearance of thin,
flat plates. They have horizontal flattened, elliptical nuclei
because of the thin flattened form of the cell. As they
consist of a single layer or flattened sac-like cells, it
resembles 'pavement' and hence, simple squamous cells are
called 'pavement epithelium'. Fig. Squamous epithelium

Cuboidal epithelium

The cuboidal epithelium is composed of a single layer of

cube-like cells, found in ducts of glands and tubular parts of nephrons in kidneys.

Columnar epithelium

The columnar epithelium is composed of a single layer of tall and slender cells with nuclei
located at the base and microvilli at the free surface, found in the
lining of stomach and intestine.

Ciliated columnar epithelium

If the columnar or cuboidal cells bear cilia on their free

surface they are called ciliated epithelium, found in the inner
surface of hollow organs like bronchioles and fallopian tubes.

Compound epithelium

• Compound epithelium is made of more than one layer of cells.

• Provide protection against chemical and mechanical stresses.
• They cover the dry surface of the skin, the moist surface of buccal cavity, pharynx
etc.

Stratified epithelia

1. Stratified epithelia is made up of two or more layers of epithelial cells cemented

together to give maximum protection. The keratinized cells are mostly prevalent in
Dr.C.V.Narasimha murthy SVJC Jr.Inter 2020-21
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the skin while the non-keratinized stratified epithelia can be found in oral cavity,
eosophagus to stomach, anus, rectum and vagina and cervix.

2. The nasal vestibule is the most anterior part of the nasal cavity. It is enclosed by the
cartilages of nose and lined by the same epithelium of the skin (stratified squamous,
keratinized)

Pseudostratified epithelium

Pseudostratified epithelium is that type of epithelium that comprises of only a single

layer of cells and has its cell nuclei positioned as that of stratified epithelium. Non-
ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelia are located in the major part of the penile
urethra.

Types of
Location Structure Function
epithelial tissue
Transport by
Blood vessel
A single layer of flat cells having diffusion and where
Simple squamous lining, air sac
irregular boundaries minimal protection
lining of lungs
is required
The tubular
A single layer of short cylindrical
lining of Absorption and
Simple cuboidal cells. It may have microvilli as in
kidneys, secretion
proximal convoluted tubules
glandular ducts
Protection,
Digestive tract
absorption, mucus
and upper A single layer of columnar cells
Simple columnar secretion and
respiratory (tall and slender) and often ciliated
movement in a
tract lining
specific direction
Made up of several layers of cells,
continuously sloughed off and
The lining of
Stratified regenerated. The older layer of
the mouth and Protection
squamous cells is pushed upwards and
vagina
becomes flat. The lower layer is
columnar and metabolically active
Mammary
The upper layer is cuboid and
Stratified glands, sweat Protection of ducts
other layers may be cuboidal or
cuboidal gland and of various glands
other types
salivary glands
Male urethra
There is a layer of columnar cells
Stratified and lobar ducts Protection and
present on squamous, columnar or
columnar of salivary secretion
cuboidal epithelial cells
glands
Pseudostratified Respiratory Similar to columnar epithelium but Protection, secretion
columnar passage and all the cells are not of similar and movement of

Dr.C.V.Narasimha murthy SVJC Jr.Inter 2020-21