Stratified squamous epithelium covers surfaces that need physical protection.

The cells are bound tightly together and piled up.

Cell division occurs only in the bottom layer of a healthy stratified squamous epithelium. The bottom cells are cuboidal. They flatten down on the surface.

I chose this glycogen-rich stratified squamous epithelium because it shows the cells flattening down on the top without dying.

Unmodified, "squamous epithelium" means "stratified squamous". This works in "pathology", but don't try to get away with it in "anatomy".

This is stratified squamous epithelium from the ectocervix.

With your study partners, find:

• upper squamous layers


• lower layers (the cells are more cuboidal)


• basement membrane


• connective tissue (dermis)

Roots:

• Strata: ranks of an army.
Compare "strategy", i.e., generalship (Greek strategos, general.)

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Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences