Squamous epithelium is found as a lining of blood vessels, mouth, oesophagus, nose, alveoli sacs and as a coating outside the skin and tongue.
Definition
Epithelial tissue or epithelium forms the outer covering of the skin and also lines the body cavity. It forms the lining of respiratory, digestive, reproductive and excretory tracts.
Squamous epithelial cells are large, flattened cells filled with cytoplasm possessing a small round nucleus at the centre. They are flat and have an irregularly round shape.
Location
- These cells are typically found lining the surfaces requiring a smooth flow of fluid as seen in the blood vessels.
- In the respiratory system, the Simple Squamous epithelial cells are found in the lungs and are a part of the circulatory system by the lining they render to the capillaries.
- Their presence in the alveolar epithelium enables simple passive diffusion.
