Every epithelium is named the same way. First comes the number of layers (one = simple, many = stratified). Then comes the cell shape (flat = squamous, cube = cuboidal, tall = columnar). Pick a box to build the name and see it.
Simple squamous
Simple squamousone layer of flat cells
The naming grid
Squamous (flat)
Cuboidal (cube)
Columnar (tall)
Simple
Simple squamous
Simple cuboidal
Simple columnar
Stratified
Stratified squamous
Stratified cuboidal
Stratified columnar
Pseudostratified (looks layered)
Transitional (stretchy)
📷 Reference image
A real labeled figure to compare with the interactive above.
Naming an Epithelium — OpenStax, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
