The different types of epithelial tissue are located in different parts of the body according to their specialization.
| Type of Epithelial Tissue |
Major Locations |
Major Functions |
| Simple squamous |
Lining of lymph vessels, blood vessels, heart, glomerular capsule in kidneys, alveoli (air sacs in lungs), serous membranes lining peritoneal, pleural, pericardial, and scrotal cavities |
Permits diffusion or filtration through selectively permeable surfaces |
| Simple cuboidal |
Lining of many glands and their ducts, surface of ovaries, inner surface of eye lens, pigmented epithelium of eye retina |
Secretion and absorption |
| Simple columnar |
Stomach, intestines, digestive gland, and gall bladder |
Secretion, absorption, protection, lubrication; cilia and mucus combine to sweep away foreign substances |
| Stratified squamous |
Epidermis, vagina, mouth and esophagus, anal canal, distal end of urethra |
Protection |
| Stratified cuboidal |
Ducts of sweat glands, sebaceous glands, and developing epithelium in ovaries and testes |
Secretion |
| Stratified columnar |
Moist surfaces such as larynx, nasal surface of soft palate, parts of pharynx, urethra, and excretory ducts of salivary and mammary glands |
Secretion and movement |
