In anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy is a branch of biology and medicine that is the consideration of the structure of living things. It is a general term that includes human anatomy, animal anatomy , and plant anatomy...

, squamous epithelium (from Latin squama, "scale") is an epithelium

Epithelium

Epithelium is one of the four basic types of animal tissue, along with connective tissue, muscle tissue and nervous tissue. Epithelial tissues line the cavities and surfaces of structures throughout the body, and also form many glands. Functions of epithelial cells include secretion, selective...

 characterised by its most superficial layer consisting of flat, scale-like cells

Cell (biology)

The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all known living organisms. It is the smallest unit of life that is classified as a living thing, and is often called the building block of life. The Alberts text discusses how the "cellular building blocks" move to shape developing embryos....

 called squamous epithelial cells. Epithelium may be composed of one layer of these cells, in which case it is referred to as simple squamous epithelium, or it may possess multiple layers, referred to then as stratified squamous epithelium. Both types perform differing functions, ranging from nutrient exchange to protection.

Cancers of the squamous epithelium include squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma , occasionally rendered as "squamous-cell carcinoma", is a histologically distinct form of cancer. It arises from the uncontrolled multiplication of malignant cells deriving from epithelium, or showing particular cytological or tissue architectural characteristics of...

, basal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma

Basal-cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It rarely metastasizes or kills. However, because it can cause significant destruction and disfigurement by invading surrounding tissues, it is still considered malignant. Statistically, approximately 3 out of 10 Caucasians may develop a...

, and other adnexal tumors.

Squamous epithelial cells have a polygonal appearance when viewed from above.

Types include simple squamous epithelium

Simple squamous epithelium

A simple squamous epithelium is a single layer of flat cells in contact with the basal lamina of the epithelium. This type of epithelium is often permeable and occurs where small molecules pass quickly through membranes via filtration or diffusion...

 and stratified squamous epithelium

Stratified squamous epithelium

A stratified squamous epithelium consists of squamous epithelial cells arranged in layers upon a basement membrane. Only one layer is in contact with the basement membrane; the other layers adhere to one another to maintain structural integrity...

.

External links

Simple squamous epithelium of the glomerulus

Glomerulus

A glomerulus is a capillary tuft that is involved in the first step of filtering blood to form urine.A glomerulus is surrounded by Bowman's capsule, the beginning component of nephrons in the vertebrate kidney. A glomerulus receives its blood supply from an afferent arteriole of the renal...

(kidney)

• Diagrams of simple squamous epithelium Stratified squamous epithelium of the vagina Stratified squamous epithelium of the skin (thin skin) Stratified squamous epithelium of the skin (thick skin)
• Stratified squamous epithelium of the esophagus
• Research News about Squamous Cell