Number of Layers or Category Shape of Cells

Simple (Single layer of cells)  Squamous

 Cuboidal
 Columnar
Stratified (More than one layer of cells)  Squamous
o Nonkeratinized (moist)
o Keratinized
 Cuboidal (very rare)
 Columnar (very rare)
Pseudostratified (Modification of simple epithelium)  Columnar
Transitional (Modification of stratified epithelium)  Roughly cuboidal to columnar when not stretched and squamous-like when stretched

Structure Function Location

Simple Epithelium
Simple Squamous Epithelium
Simple Cuboidal Epithelium
Simple Columnar Epithelium
Single layer of flat, often  Diffusion  Lining of blood vessels
hexagonal cells; the nuclei  Filtration and the heart
appear as bumps when viewed  Some secretion  Lymphatic vessels
in cross section because the  Some protection against  Alveoli of the lungs
cells are so flat friction  Portions of the kidney
tubules
 Lining of serous
membranes of body
cavities (Pleural,
Pericardial, Peritoneal)
Single layer of cube-shaped  Secretion and absorption  Kidney tubules
cells; some cells have microvilli by cells of the kidney  Glands and their ducts
(kidney tubules) or cilia (terminal tubules  Choroid plexuses of the
bronchioles of the lungs)  Secretion by cells of brain
glands and choroid  Lining of terminal
plexuses bronchioles of the lungs
 Movement of particles  Surfaces of the ovaries
embedded in mucus out
of the terminal
bronchioles by ciliated
cells
Single layer of tall, narrow cells;  Movement of particles  Glands and some ducts
some cells have cilia out of the bronchioles of  Bronchioles of the lungs
(bronchioles of the lungs; the lungs by ciliated cells  Auditory tubes
auditory tubes; uterine tubes,  Partially responsible for  Uterus
and uterus) or microvilli the movement of oocytes

Pseudostratified Columnar Single layer of cells; some cells
Epithelium
Stratified Epithelium
Stratified Squamous Epithelium
(intestines)
are tall and thin and reach the
free surface, and others do not;
the nuclei of these cells are at
different levels and appear
stratified; the cells are almost
always ciliated and are
associated with goblet cells that
secret mucus onto the free
surface
Several layers of cells that are
cuboidal in the basal layer and
progressively flattened toward
the surface; the epithelium can
be nonkeratinized (moist) or
keratinized; in nonkeratinized
stratified squamous epithelium,
the surface cells retain a nucleus
and cytoplasm; in keratinized
stratified epithelium, the
cytoplasm of cells at the surface
is replaced by a protein called
keratin, and the cells are dead
through the uterine tubes  Uterine tubes
by ciliated cells  Stomach
 Secretion by cells of the  Intestines
glands, the stomach, and  Gall bladder
the intestines  Bile ducts
 Absorption by cells of the  Ventricles of the brain
intestines
 Synthesize and secrete  Lining of nasal cavity
mucus onto the free  Nasal sinuses
surface and move mucus  Auditory tubes
(or fluid) that contains  Pharynx
foreign particles over the  Trachea
surface of the free  Bronchi of the lungs
surface and from
passages
 Protects against abrasion  Keratinized – outer layer
 Forms a barrier against of the skin
infection  Nonkeratinized – mouth,
 Reduces loss of water throat, larynx,
from the body esophagus, anus, vagina,
inferior urethra, and
corneas
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