Cuboidal epithelial

Cuboidal epithelium tissues are one type of epithelial tissue in animals. They are present in the external and internal layers throughout the body. They play an important role in many functions, such as protection, secretion, absorption, etc. From the salivary gland to the reproductive system, they are found in almost every place of the body. This article will help understand the minute details of this kind of animal tissue. 

Epithelial tissue

It is also known as epithelium tissue, and it is one kind of animal tissue. It consists of a variety of layers with different components. Epithelial tissues are extensively present throughout the body. These tissues cover the surface of the whole body, including vital organs, body cavities, and major glands. This type of tissue performs a wide range of roles and functions, such as secretion, protection, excretion, absorption, diffusion, filtration, and sensory reception. They are tightly packed with each other with less or no intercellular matrix between them. Since these are the ones that cover most of the vital organs, it leads to free cells from one side. 

Epithelial tissue is majorly divided into three categories, including squamous, cuboidal, or columnar because of the shape, size, and layers. 

(1) Squamous epithelium

(2) Columnar epithelium

(3) Cuboidal epithelium

Squamous epithelium: This kind of tissue has many layers, which are responsible for the formation, maintenance, and loss of cells. However, the rate of all those functions depends on various factors, and hence can be altered at any time, for instance, after any operational treatment. 

Columnar epithelium: This kind of epithelial tissue consists of cells that seem like columns. Some of them have cilia and some are without cilia. They perform functions, such as secretion, absorption, and excretion. 

The gastrointestinal tract from the oesophagus to the rectum is covered by this epithelium. It also covers the surface of ducts of many glands and the villi structure of the small intestine. 

Explanation about cuboidal epithelial, its location, and types: 

Cuboidal epithelial: This kind of epithelial tissue is in the shape of cuboids. Its functions include secretion, absorption, and excretion. Due to the cubical nature of these tissues, they are named cuboidal epithelial tissues. They look like a square in shape under the microscope. They have large-sized nuclei and are located in the central region of the cell. 

Location of cuboidal tissues 

Cuboidal epithelium is present in the lining of ducts of kidneys, the pancreas, the salivary gland, the sweat glands, and the mammary glands. They are also found in the external layer of ovaries and the walls of seminiferous tubules of testes of the male reproductive system. 

Cuboidal tissue is further classified into two according to the number of layers. Their description, in brief, is given below: 

Simple cuboidal epithelium: It is one of the categories under cuboidal tissue. It consists of a single layer of cuboidal cells. In this, every cell has one spherical nucleus located in the central region of the cell. They give protection to delicate organs and also have special kinds of secretion and absorption capabilities. 

Based on the location, simple cuboidal epitheliums are further divided into various categories. 

• In the reproductive organs: Cells lining the tubuli recti, rete testis, and ovary.
• In the central nervous system: The ependyma
• In the endocrine system: The follicular cells of the thyroid
• In the excretory system: Lining the proximal and distal convoluted tubules of a nephron. 

Stratified cuboidal epithelium: It consists of more than one layer of cuboidal cells that are ciliated and columnar. Generally, it has multiple layers. They protect sweat glands, mammary glands, and salivary glands. They are also present in the respiratory passage system and urinary bladder. 

The cells of this kind of tissue are attached through the support of junctions and specialised proteins. Secretion and protection are the main functions of this kind of tissue. 

Functions of cuboidal epithelial tissues 

• Absorption and filtration are the primary functions. 
• It secretes a lubricating substance, which is used for diffusion and filtration in the tubules of kidneys. 

Conclusion

Animals have various kinds of tissues that support different functions in the body. The various types of tissues include epithelial tissues, connective tissues, skeletal tissues, etc. One of the types is cuboidal epithelium tissues that are present on the upper and inner surface of the body, vital organs, etc. They play an important role in many functions, such as protection, secretion, absorption, etc. From the salivary gland to the reproductive system, they are found in almost every place of the body.