Dictionary > Simple epithelium

Simple epithelium

Definition
noun, plural: simple epithelia
An epithelial tissue comprised of a single layer of epithelial cells that are in direct contact with the basement membrane, as seen those in the epithelial linings of the reproductive tract and the digestive tract
Supplement
The epithelial tissue (also called epithelium) is one of the different types of animal tissues. It is made up of one or more layers of cells closely packed together. It is primarily involved in protecting the underlying structures, secretion, regulation, and absorption. The epithelium may be classified based on the number of layers that make it up. In particular, the epithelium may be simple or stratified.
A simple epithelium is an epithelial tissue made up of only one layer of epithelial cells. These cells are in direct contact with the basement membrane. And often the layer underneath the basement membrane is a connective tissue. The simple epithelium is primarily involved in absorption and filtration.
The simple epithelial tissue may be further classified histologically according to the shape of the cells that comprise it, i.e. squamous (scale-like), cuboidal (cube-like), or columnar (column-like). Examples of simple squamous epithelium include the linings of the pericardial, pleural, and peritoneal cavities. It is also seen in the endothelium and the alveoli of the lungs.
Also called:

  • simple epithelial tissue

See also:

  • tissue
  • epithelium
  • pseudostratified epithelium
  • Related term(s):


    You will also like...

    Plant meristem
    Plant Meristems and Growth

    In plants, growth occurs in meristems, which are the site of repeated cell division of unspecialized cells. These cells ..

    Plant Water Regulation
    Plant Water Regulation

    Plants need to regulate water in order to stay upright and structurally stable. Find out the different evolutionary adap..

    Transpiration
    Water in Plants

    The movement of molecules (specifically, water and solutes) is vital to the understanding of plant processes. This tuto..

    An artist's depiction of the origin of amphibians
    Amphibians & Early Reptiles

    Obtaining air outside an aquatic environment required species to acquire suitable adaptations, and this was the case of ..

    Peppered moth ("Biston betularia") melanic and light form
    Examples of Natural Selection

    Darwin's Finches are an example of natural selection in action. They are an excellent example of the way species' gene p..

    Plant biology
    Plant Biology

    Plantlife can be studied at a variety of levels, from the molecular, genetic and biochemical level through organelles, c..

    Related Articles...

    No related articles found

    See all Related Topics