Definition
noun, plural: stratified cuboidal epithelia
A type of stratified epithelium in which the topmost layer is made up of cuboidal epithelial cells, such as that one found in sweat glands, salivary glands, and mammary glands
Supplement
A stratified epithelium is an epithelial tissue composed of more than one layer of epithelial cells. It differs from a simple epithelium in a way that the latter consists only one layer of epithelial cells. The basal layer of the stratified epithelium is the only one that is in contact with the basal lamina. The cells in the basal layer divide mitotically resulting in more cells atop the basal layer. The apical cells are regularly replaced by new cells produced through mitosis. The stratified epithelium may be further classified based on the type of cells particularly at the surface: squamous, columnar, or cuboidal.
A stratified cuboidal epithelium is a stratified epithelium in which the topmost layer is made up of cuboidal (cube-like) epithelial cells. Beneath the layers of cuboidal epithelial cells may be comprised of cells of a different shape. The stratified cuboidal epithelium is exemplified by sweat glands, mammary glands, circumanal glands, and salivary glands. This particular type of epithelium plays a protective role to these glands.
Also called:
- stratified cuboidal epithelial tissue
See also:
