Histology Photomicrographs

Human Anatomy and Physiology (BIOL& 241L-242L)
Karen Hart, Peninsula College

• Epithelial tissue
  • Simple squamous epithelium
  • Simple cuboidal epithelium
  • Simple columnar epithelium
  • Pseudostratified epithelium
  • Stratified squamous epithelium
  • Transitional epithelium
• Connective tissue proper
• Skin
• Cartilage and bone
• Skeletal muscle, smooth muscle
• Nervous system
• Cardiovascular system
• Lymphatic system
• Respiratory system
• Digestive system
• Urinary system
• Reproductive system
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• Histology home page

Epithelial tissue: Simple columnar epithelium

Example: A simple columnar epithelium forms the lining of the intestine.

Food in the intestine is broken down in the lumen of the intestine to molecules small enough to be absorbed by the cells in contact with the lumen. These absorptive cells are a single layer of columnar cells
(a simple columnar epithelium). Note an oval nucleus in the lower part of each columnar cell.

Arrows indicate the base of this simple columnar epithelium sce. The lumen is indicated by lu.

The surface area for absorption is increased by projections of the intestinal wall called villi. A simple columnar epithelium forms the surface of a villus, connective tissue ct forms the interior of a villus.