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Simple squamous epithelium

Medically Reviewed by Anatomy Team

  • Last updated on January 27, 2025

Table of Contents

Simple squamous epithelium is a single layer of flat, thin, and scale-like epithelial cells. This type of tissue is specialized for processes like filtration, diffusion, and secretion due to its thinness and permeability.[2]

Anatomy

  • Cell Shape: Cells are flattened and irregularly shaped, resembling scales.
  • Nucleus: Centrally located and flattened.[3]
  • Arrangement: Cells are tightly packed together, forming a continuous sheet.

Location

Simple squamous epithelium is found in regions where rapid exchange of substances occurs, such as:

  • Alveoli of the lungs: Facilitates gas exchange between air and blood.
  • Glomeruli of kidneys: Allows filtration of blood during urine formation.[5]
  • Endothelium of blood vessels and lymphatics: Lines the interior of vessels, aiding in smooth blood flow.
  • Mesothelium: Lines body cavities such as the pleura (lungs), peritoneum (abdomen), and pericardium (heart).

Function

  • Diffusion: Facilitates the passage of gases and small molecules.
  • Filtration: Allows selective filtration, as seen in kidney glomeruli.[7]
  • Secretion: Produces serous fluid in mesothelial linings to reduce friction between organs.

Clinical Significance

  • Damage to the epithelium: Can lead to impaired gas exchange or filtration, such as in pulmonary edema or glomerulonephritis.[8]
  • Mesothelioma: A cancer of the mesothelial cells often linked to asbestos exposure.
  • Atherosclerosis: Endothelial damage in blood vessels can contribute to plaque formation, leading to cardiovascular diseases.[1]

References

  1. Boron WF, Boulpaep EL. Medical Physiology: A Cellular and Molecular Approach. 3rd ed. Elsevier; 2016. ISBN 978-1455743773.
  2. Alberts B, Johnson A, Lewis J, et al. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 6th ed. Garland Science; 2014. ISBN 978-0815344322.
  3. Hall JE. Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology. 14th ed. Elsevier; 2020. ISBN 978-0323597128.
  4. Sadler TW. Langman’s Medical Embryology. 14th ed. Wolters Kluwer; 2018. ISBN 978-1496383907.
  5. Ten Cate AR, Nanci A. Ten Cate’s Oral Histology: Development, Structure, and Function. 8th ed. Elsevier; 2012. ISBN 978-0323078467.
  6. Young B, Heath JW. Wheater’s Functional Histology: A Text and Colour Atlas. 5th ed. Churchill Livingstone; 2000. ISBN 978-0443065593.
  7. Crossman AR, Neary D. Neuroanatomy: An Illustrated Colour Text. 5th ed. Elsevier; 2014. ISBN 978-0702054051.
  8. Drake RL, Vogl AW, Mitchell AWM. Gray’s Anatomy for Students. 4th ed. Elsevier; 2020. ISBN 978-0323393041.