Simple Squamous Epithelium

Simple squamous epithelium is composed of flattened, irregularly shaped cells forming a continuous surface. It is found lining surfaces involved in passive transport of gasses (lungs) or fluids (blood capillaries). This micrograph shows that the cells lining the vessel are so flattened that they can only be recognized by their nuclei (the two elongated dark spots in the oval lining of the vessel. Locations - Capillary walls, alveoli of lungs, covering visceral organs, lining body cavities. Functions - Diffusion and filtration.

Simple Squamous Epithelium

This piece of frog skin allows us to observe the irregular shape of and close knit nature of the cells that make up simple squamous epithelial tissue. A - cell membrane B - nucleus, C - cytoplasm.

Simple Squamous - Side view

Simple squamous tissue (A) line the walls of blood vessels.

Simple Squamous - Side view

Lung alveoli wall (A)

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

Simple cuboidal epithelium is an intermediate form between simple squamous and simple columnar epithelium. The epithelial cells appear square on section, but from the surface they appear polygonal. Simple cuboidal epithelium usually lines small ducts and tubules which may have excretory, secretory, or absorptive functions. Examples are the small collecting ducts of the kidney, salivary glands, and pancreas. This micrograph shows the cells lining a small collecting tubule in the kidney. If boundaries between the cells are indistinct (as they often are), the nuclear shape can provide an approximate indication of cell shape and size.

Locations - lining kidney tubules, salivary ducts, and pancreatic ducts Functions - Secretion, excretion, and absorption

Simple Cuboidal #2
In kidney tissue we find the kidney's tubules cut such that they appear as rings of cells around empty spaces. These cuboidal cells (A) that line these tubules are as wide as they are tall as they are deep - cuboidal. The nuclei (B) are easily observed. Locations: lining kidney tubules, salivary ducts, pancreatic ducts Functions: secretion, excretion, and absorption

Cuboidal epithelium

Simple Columnar Epithelium

Simple columnar epithelium is similar to simple cuboidal epithelium except that the cells are taller and appear columnar in sections perpendicular to the basement membrane. The nuclei are elongated and may be located towards the base, center, or occasionally the apex of the cytoplasm. Simple columnar epithelium is most often found on highly absorptive surfaces such as in the small intestine and the gallbladder. This sample is taken from the gallbladder.

Simple Columnar #2
The villi of the small intestine are lined by a single layer of columnar cells (A) - thus the name simple columnar epithelium. Note these cells are not as wide as they are tall with the darkly stained nuclei (B) located at the base of the cells.The cell membranes (C) are very thin but easily identified. Locations: lining most of the digestive tract Function: protection, secretion and absorption

Simple Columnar #3

Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium

Another variant of simple columnar epithelium, pseudostratified columnar epithelium is often mistaken for stratified columnar epithelium because it appears that there exists more than one layer of cells. However, all the cells rest on the basement membrane, although not all extend to the luminal surface. The nuclei of these cells are situated at different levels, creating the illusion of stratification. This type of epithelium is almost exclusively confined to the larger airways of the respiratory system, and is often called respiratory epithelium. Note also that the cells are ciliated, a characteristic never found on stratified epithelia.

Pseudostratified Columnar Ciliated

Line A cuts through this epithelium. The columnar cells of this tissue all begin at the basement membrane; only a few reach the surface. The nuclei (C) appear at various levels giving the tissue a stratified appearance. The cilia (B) are easily seen.The mucus producing goblet cells are not visible in this micrograph.(The pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium you observed in the laboratory was not as "deep" as seen here and included globlet cells.) Locations: This is a respiratory epithelium being found in such places as the nasal septum, trachea, and bronchi. Function: trap and move "pollutants" to the mouth where they are swallowed.

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Stratified squamous epithelium consists of a variable number of cell layers which undergo morphological transition from the cuboidal base layer to the extremely flattened surface layers. The degenerate surface cells are continuously sloughed off and replaced from the deeper layers. This type of tissue withstands moderate abrasion since loss of surface cells does not compromise the underlying connective tissue, but is poorly adapted to withstand desiccation. It is found in the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, anal canal and vagina.

Stratified Squamous
The bracket labeled A marks the stratified squamous epithelium.The many layers of cells that make up this tissue are easily seen with higher magnification (next slide). Location: mouth, vagina, esophagus, anal canal Function: protection

Stratified Squamous
The bracket labeled A marks the stratified squamous epithelium.The many layers of cells that make up this tissue are easily seen with higher magnification. Observe that the surface cells (at B) are flattened (are squamous).

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Transitional Epithelium
Transitional epithelium is a form of stratified epithelium almost exclusively found in the urinary tract. It is highly specialized to accommodate stretch and to withstand the toxicity of urine. It is called transitional because it has features intermediate between stratified cuboidal and stratified squamous epithelium. In the relaxed state (here), it appears to be about 4-5 cell layers thick with the cells varying in shape. In the stretched state, it appears only 2-3 cell layers thick, and the more luminal oriented layers are extremely flattened, and occasionally binucleate. Locations: ureter, urinary bladder Function: distention

Goblet Cells
Goblet cells (arrow) are modified columnar epithelial cells which synthesize and secrete mucus. They are scattered amongst the cells of many epithelial linings, particularly those of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. The distended apical cytoplasm contains a dense aggregation of mucigen granules, which, when released by exocytosis, combine with water to form the viscid secretion called mucus. The goblet cell stem is occupied by a condensed, basal nucleus and is crammed with organelles involved in mucigen synthesis.