Histology, Epithelial Cell

Excerpt

Epithelial cells make up primary tissues throughout the body. Epithelial cells form from ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm, which explains why epithelial line body cavities and cover most body and organ surfaces. There are many arrangements of epithelial cells, such as squamous, cuboidal, and columnar, that organize as simple, stratified, pseudostratified, and transitional. Since epithelial cells are prevalent throughout the body, their function changes based on location (see Table. Epithelial Cells, Location and Function). For example, epithelial cells in the skin provide protection, whereas they have secretory and absorptive properties in the gut. This article seeks to explain the anatomical characteristics of epithelial cells and their functions and describe features evident upon histological staining.