The squamous epithelium is epithelium consisting of one or more cell layers, the most superficial of which is composed of flat, scalelike or platelike cells. These surface cells are irregularly shaped and very flat; so flat that the cell nucleus sometimes creates a bump in the surface of the cell.

The cells are very thin and thus make up the walls of alveoli and capillaries, due to the ease of diffusion across them. They also have a smooth surface, meaning that liquids can flow quickly over them, leading to them lining blood vessels and ducts.

Types

The squamous epithelium may be simple (e.g. endothelium) or stratified (e.g. epidermis).

Epithelial cells