Various types of epithelia

Simple Epithelia

Stratified Epithelia

Simple squamous epithelium, simple cuboidal epithelium, simple columnar epithelium,& pseudostratified columnar epithelium

The simple epithelia deal mostly with absorption, secretion and filtration. They consist of a single cell layer and are usually very thin. They are mainly located in the kidney glomeruli, air sacs of the lungs, lining of heart, lining of ventral body cavity, kidney tubules, ducts and secretory portions of small glands, ovary surface, gallbladder, nonciliated type lines most digestive tract, etc.

Stratified squamous epithelium, stratified cuboidal and columnar epithelium, & transitional epithelium

The major role of stratified epithelia is protection. They contain two or more cell layers. They regenerate from below; the basal cells divide and push apically to replace the older surface cells. They are located in nonkeratinized type forms the moist linings of the esophagus, mouth and vagina; keratinized variety forms the epidermis of the skin, lines the ureters, bladder, and part if the urethra.