From the Research
Epithelium is classified into several types, including simple, stratified, pseudostratified, and transitional, each serving specific functions based on their location and structure. The main types of epithelium are determined by cell shape and arrangement.
- Simple epithelium consists of a single layer of cells and is further divided into:
- Simple squamous (flat cells, found in blood vessels and air sacs)
- Simple cuboidal (cube-shaped cells, found in kidney tubules and glands)
- Simple columnar (tall cells, found in digestive tract)
- Stratified epithelium consists of multiple layers of cells and includes:
- Stratified squamous (multiple layers of cells that flatten as they approach the surface, found in skin and esophagus)
- Stratified cuboidal (rare, found in sweat gland ducts)
- Stratified columnar (found in parts of the urethra)
- Other types of epithelium include pseudostratified epithelium, which appears layered but all cells contact the basement membrane, often with cilia (found in respiratory tract), and transitional epithelium, which can stretch and is found in the urinary tract. Although the study 1 discusses the interaction of barium sulphate suspensions with rat ileum, it does not provide relevant information on the classification of epithelium. Therefore, the classification of epithelium is based on general medical knowledge and not on the provided study.