Compound Epithelium

Compound epithelium is made of two or more stacked layers of cells, of which only the bottom-most layer actually rests on the basement membrane — the layers above it rest on each other. Because it takes many cell layers to renew, compound epithelium has a comparatively poor capacity for secretion, and its main role is protection. Two forms are recognised:

(a) Stratified epithelium: The deepest layer of cells, called the stratum germinativum, retains a nucleus and is where new cells are continually produced by division. As these cells are pushed towards the free surface they progressively flatten out and eventually lose their nucleus altogether, forming the outermost layer, the stratum corneum.

Function: protection.

Location: the epidermis of the skin, and the lining of the oesophagus, cornea, vagina and rectum. …