SIMPLE CUBOIDAL EPITHELIUM – 3
The walls of many small tubes in the body are formed by simple cuboidal epithelium, as seen in the kidney (renal) tubules shown in the image. Most tubules have been sectioned transversely, so they appear as rings. On the right side of the image, notice a tubule that has been sectioned longitudinally and appears vertically oriented.
Remember that a tube cut transversely usually appears as a ring, because the section passes across its long axis. In these tubules, the wall consists of a single layer of cells. In cross-section, the cells appear approximately square, with a cuboidal shape. The epithelium is therefore classified as simple cuboidal epithelium .
Remember that a tube cut transversely usually appears as a ring, because the section passes across its long axis. In these tubules, the wall consists of a single layer of cells. In cross-section, the cells appear approximately square, with a cuboidal shape. The epithelium is therefore classified as simple cuboidal epithelium .
This section was stained using the Periodic Acid–Schiff (PAS) technique, which highlights polysaccharides and other carbohydrate-rich substances. With the PAS technique, the basement membranes beneath the epithelial cells are much more clearly visible than with H&E staining alone. They appear magenta.
Place the mouse cursor over the image or click on it to highlight the structures:
In two transversely sectioned tubules, the epithelial cells appear pink.
The lumens (internal cavities) of these two tubules, as well as the lumen of the longitudinally sectioned tubule, appear blue.
The basement membranes of the two transversely sectioned tubules are highlighted in green.
Kidney. Staining: PAS + Hematoxylin and eosin (HE). Medium magnification.
