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Simple columnar epithelium

Medically Reviewed by Anatomy Team

  • Last updated on January 27, 2025

Table of Contents

Simple columnar epithelium is a single layer of tall, rectangular cells with nuclei typically located near the base of the cells.[1] It is specialized for absorption, secretion, and protection and may contain specialized structures like microvilli or cilia.

Anatomy

  • Cell Shape: Tall, column-like cells with a height greater than their width.
  • Nucleus: Oval-shaped, located near the basal region of the cell.[3]
  • Special Features:
    • Ciliated columnar cells: Found in regions where movement of substances is necessary, such as the respiratory tract and fallopian tubes.
    • Non-ciliated columnar cells: Often feature microvilli to increase surface area for absorption, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract.
    • Goblet cells: Specialized mucus-secreting cells interspersed within the epithelium.

Location

Simple columnar epithelium is commonly found lining organs involved in absorption, secretion, or movement of substances.[5] Major locations include:

Function

  • Absorption: Facilitates the uptake of nutrients in the digestive tract.[4]
  • Secretion: Produces mucus (via goblet cells), enzymes, and other substances.
  • Movement: Cilia help move substances, such as mucus in the respiratory tract or eggs in the fallopian tubes.
  • Protection: Acts as a barrier against harmful substances and pathogens.[7]

Clinical Significance

  • Celiac Disease: Damage to the simple columnar epithelium in the small intestine, particularly the loss of microvilli, leads to impaired nutrient absorption.
  • Chronic Bronchitis: Damage to the ciliated epithelium of the respiratory tract impairs mucus clearance, leading to chronic inflammation.[8]
  • Cancer: Adenocarcinomas can arise from simple columnar epithelium, especially in the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis involve damage to the intestinal epithelium.[2]

References

  1. Sadler TW. Langman’s Medical Embryology. 14th ed. Wolters Kluwer; 2018. ISBN 978-1496383907.
  2. Moore KL, Agur AMR, Dalley AF. Essential Clinical Anatomy. 6th ed. Wolters Kluwer; 2019. ISBN 978-1496369659.
  3. Samuelson DA. Textbook of Veterinary Histology. 1st ed. Saunders; 2006. ISBN 978-0721681740.
  4. Junqueira LC, Carneiro J. Junqueira’s Basic Histology: Text and Atlas. 13th ed. McGraw-Hill Education; 2013. ISBN 978-0071780339.
  5. Ross MH, Pawlina W. Histology: A Text and Atlas with Correlated Cell and Molecular Biology. 8th ed. Wolters Kluwer; 2020. ISBN 978-1975114536.
  6. Schoenwolf GC, Bleyl SB, Brauer PR. Larsen’s Human Embryology. 5th ed. Churchill Livingstone; 2014. ISBN 978-0443065838.
  7. Singh I. Human Embryology. 11th ed. Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers; 2018. ISBN 978-9352704627.
  8. Gartner LP. Textbook of Histology. 5th ed. Elsevier; 2021. ISBN 978-0323683715.