Diagram of stratified columnar epithelium from difore's

Reading File

Finding Sources

Reading File

Loading Image

Reading File

Loading Image

Reading File

Loading Image

This is an excellent image. Now I have everything needed to give a comprehensive answer. Note that "DiFore's" (di Fiore's Atlas of Histology) is not in the library collection, but the available histology atlases - particularly Ross & Pawlina's "Histology: A Text and Atlas" - contain very clear plates showing stratified columnar epithelium.

Stratified Columnar Epithelium

Note: Di Fiore's Atlas of Histology is not available in this library. The images and descriptions below come from Ross & Pawlina's Histology: A Text and Atlas with Correlated Cell and Molecular Biology (Plate 19.2) and Junqueira's Basic Histology, 17e (Figure 4-15), which are the standard equivalent references for this topic.

Plate 19.2 - Larynx (Ross & Pawlina) - H&E, Monkey

The plate below shows the three epithelial types in the larynx. Stratified columnar epithelium (SCE) appears at the transitional zones:

Plate 19.2 larynx showing SCE, SSE, and PSE

Key labels:

SCE - Stratified columnar epithelium (surface cells are tall/columnar)
SSE - Stratified squamous epithelium (surface cells are flat)
PSE - Pseudostratified columnar epithelium (appears below the SCE)
Gl - Glands in the lamina propria
VM - Vocalis muscle | VF - Vocal folds | VnF - Ventricular folds | V - Ventricle

The three lower panels show progressively higher-magnification views of the junction regions. The middle lower panel (labelled SCE) is the most instructive: note how the surface cells are distinctly taller (columnar) than the flatter basal cells, and compare directly with the SSE above it and the ciliated PSE to the right.

Schematic Diagram of Stratified Epithelium (Junqueira's, Figure 4-15)

Stratified epithelium diagram showing layered cells, basement membrane, and lamina propria

This 3D schematic clearly shows the key structural features shared by all stratified epithelia:

Multiple cell layers resting on a basement membrane
Basal cells (more cuboidal/polygonal) near the basement membrane
Surface (apical) cells - in stratified columnar, these are tall columnar cells
Underlying lamina propria of connective tissue

Key Features of Stratified Columnar Epithelium

Feature	Details
Layers	2 or more layers; basal cells are shorter/polyhedral, surface cells are tall columnar
Location	Conjunctiva of eyelids, excretory ducts of large glands, anorectal junction, parts of the larynx (transitional zone), male urethra
Function	Protection + secretion (contains goblet cells in conjunctiva)
Rarity	Relatively rare - usually occurs as a transitional zone between stratified squamous and pseudostratified/simple columnar epithelium

As noted in Junqueira's Basic Histology, 17e (p. 226): "Stratified columnar epithelium occurs in the conjunctiva lining the eyelids, where it is both protective and mucus-secreting... it usually occurs between stratified squamous epithelium and some other epithelial types."

This is a shared conversation. Sign in to Orris to start your own chat.