05 Epithelial Tissue Identification

Simple squamous

single layer; flattened; used in diffusion and filtration; found in air sacs in lungs, lining of blood vessels

simple cuboidal

Single layer of cube shaped cells, usually with spherical nuclei. Covers ovaries and lines most of the kidney tubules and the ducts of certain glands.

simple columnar

single layer of elongated, rectangular shaped cells. Secretion and absorption. Surface lining of stomach and intestines.

pseudostratified columnar

looks stratified or looks like in layers, but really just odd shaped columnar cells with nuclei located in different parts of each cell. Found in the cells of the respiratory system.

stratified squamous

layers of flattened cells; used in protection (covers areas of high abrasion); found in skin and upper digestive tract (mouth, esophagus)

transitional epithelium

Multiple layers of cells which appear cuboidal when not stretched, but squamous when stretched; found in the urinary organs