What is the Difference Between Simple Squamous Epithelium and Stratified Squamous Epithelium

The key difference between simple squamous epithelium and stratified squamous epithelium is that simple squamous epithelium contains only one cell layer of squamous cells, while stratified squamous epithelium contains multiple cell layers of squamous cells.

Epithelial tissue is a type of basic tissue lining the body cavity and the outer covering of the body. It is mainly divided into two main classes: simple epithelial tissue and stratified epithelial tissue. Simple epithelial tissue is further divided into simple squamous epithelial tissue, simple cuboidal epithelial tissue, simple columnar epithelial tissue, and pseudo-stratified epithelial tissue. On the other hand, stratified epithelial tissue is further divided into transitional epithelial tissue, stratified squamous epithelial tissue, stratified cuboidal epithelial tissue, and stratified columnar epithelial tissue.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Simple Squamous Epithelium 
3. What is Stratified Squamous Epithelium
4. Similarities – Simple Squamous Epithelium and Stratified Squamous Epithelium
5. Simple Squamous Epithelium vs. Stratified Squamous Epithelium in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Simple Squamous Epithelium vs. Stratified Squamous Epithelium

What is Simple Squamous Epithelium?

Simple squamous epithelium is an epithelium with one cell layer. It comprises scaly-shaped flat cells. Simple squamous epithelium usually lines blood vessels of the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems. This epithelial tissue contains soft and thin cells. Therefore, it permits the passage of chemical compounds through the layer. This mechanism plays a crucial role in facilitating respiration by aiding gas exchange in the alveoli and promoting the circulation of materials between the blood and extracellular fluid.

All cells in the simple squamous epithelium are found on the basement membrane. The main function of this epithelial tissue is to act as a permeable membrane by permitting the movement of materials through it either by filtration or diffusion. Moreover, this epithelial tissue provides a lesser degree of protection.

What is Stratified Squamous Epithelium?

Stratified squamous epithelium usually consists of two or more layers of bland and scaly-like cells. This epithelium is the standard of stratified epithelium in humans. The upper layers of stratified squamous epithelium contain squamous epithelial cells. The underlying cell layers can be made of cuboidal or columnar cells as well. In the case of stratified squamous epithelium, the bottommost layers are found resting on the basement membrane.

Stratified squamous epithelium lines the vagina, esophagus, and mouth. The main function of the stratified squamous epithelium is to safeguard the body against grazes or scrapes. Stratified squamous epithelium provides a higher degree of protection as well.

What are the Similarities Between Simple Squamous Epithelium and Stratified Squamous Epithelium?

• Simple squamous epithelium and stratified squamous epithelium are two different epithelial tissues.
• Both tissues contain squamous cells.
• The cells of both tissues rely on a basement membrane.
• Both tissues may provide protection to the body parts to some extent.

What is the Difference Between Simple Squamous Epithelium and Stratified Squamous Epithelium?

Simple squamous epithelium contains only one cell layer of squamous cells, while stratified squamous epithelium contains multiple cell layers of squamous cells. Thus, this is the key difference between simple squamous epithelium and stratified squamous epithelium. Furthermore, all cells in the simple squamous epithelium are found on the basement membrane, while cells in the bottommost layers of stratified squamous epithelium are found resting on the basement membrane.

The infographic below presents the differences between simple squamous epithelium and stratified squamous epithelium in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Simple Squamous Epithelium vs. Stratified Squamous Epithelium

The epithelium is a thin, continuous, protective tissue that consists of compactly packed cells. It is mainly of two types: simple epithelial tissue and stratified epithelial tissue. Both tissues contain squamous cells. However, simple squamous epithelium is an epithelium tissue that consists of one cell layer, while stratified squamous epithelium is an epithelium tissue that usually consists of two or more cell layers. In simple squamous epithelium, all the cells are found on the basement membrane, unlike in stratified squamous epithelium; only the bottommost cell layers are found on the basement membrane. So, this summarizes the difference between simple squamous epithelium and stratified squamous epithelium.

Reference:

1. “Simple Squamous Epithelium – Definition and Examples.” Biology Dictionary.
2. “Stratified Squamous Epithelium – An Overview.” ScienceDirect.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Simple squamous epithelium” By Kamil Danak – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Anatomy and physiology of animals stratified squamous epithelium” By Original uploader was Sunshineconnelly at en.Wikibooks – Transferred from en.Wikibooks; transferred to Commons by User: Adrignola using CommonsHelper. (CC BY 2.5) via Commons Wikimedia