Epithelia are classified on the basis of the number of cell layers and the shape of the cells in the surface layer.
Based on number of cell layers
- Simple epithelia: one layer of cells in the epithelium.
- Stratified epithelia: two or more layers of cells.
Based on Shape of cells
Cells in the surface layer are, as a rule, described according to their height as squamous (scale- or plate-like), cuboidal or columnar.
