shapes

simple squamous

• main function is for diffusion

• you can find in lungs, blood, arteries, etc.

• one layer of flat cells

• squished together

simple cuboidal

• single layer of cells as tall as they are wided

• allows for absorption, secretion

• ex. kidney tubules, ducts of exocrine glands

simple columnar

• single layer of tall, narrow cells

• allows for absorption and secretion

• ciliated and nonciliated forms

• nonciliated form may have microvilli (brush b order) and goblet cells (secrete mucin)

• conciliated ex. most of digestive tract, from stomach to anal canal

• ciliated ex. uterine tube

• ciliated can be found in respiratory

pseudostratified columnar

• looks like it has multiple layers but it’s not

• can be skinny, fat, etc.

• single layer of narrow cells with varying heights

• all cells touch basement membrane, but not all reach the apical surface

• ciliated and nonciliated forms

• functions in protection; ciliated form secretes mucin; moves mucus

• ex. respiratory tract lining

stratified squamous

• functions in protection

• keratinized and nonkeratinized

• apical cells

stratified cuboidal

• very rare

• ex. lining of sweat gland duct

stratified columnar

• multiple layer of cells, elongated apical cells

• protection, support, and secretion

• ex. part of male urethra, ducts of some salivary glands

transitional ET

• multiple layers, apical cell shape varies depending on degree of stretch

• polyhedral when resting, squamous when stretched

• some binucleated cells (sometimes has 2 nuclei)

• ex. lining of urinary tract