Definition
noun, plural: simple cuboidal epithelia
Simple epithelium composed of cuboidal epithelial cells
Supplement
A simple epithelium is an epithelial tissue that is composed of a single layer of epithelial cells. These cells are in direct contact with the basement membrane. This tissue may be classified histologically according to the shape of the cells it is made up of. It may be squamous (scale-like), cuboidal (cube-like), or columnar (column-like).
A simple cuboidal epithelium is a simple epithelium made up of cuboidal epithelial cells. The cuboidal epithelial cells, as the name implies, are cuboidal in shape, which means that they are approximately as wide as they are tall. When viewed from atop these cells are square in shape. In each cell, a nucleus is often found at the center, large, and spherical.
The simple cuboidal epithelium is mainly involved in secretion, absorption, or excretion. This type of tissue can be found on the surface of ovaries, salivary glands, parts of the eye, thyroid gland, pancreas, the lining of the nephrons, and the walls of the renal tubules. It is also present in the respiratory bronchioles wherein the cells are ciliated.
Also called:
- simple cuboidal epithelial tissue
See also:
