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This slide shows a section of fundic stomach
whose folded lining is composed of simple columnar epithelium. These tall
(columnar) cells (which are closely packed together) appear hexagonal when
viewed from the surface, but when viewed from the side, they appear as a row of
rectangles with the elongated nuclei frequently located at the same level,
usually in the lower part of the cell. Simple columnar epithelial cells may be
specialized for secretion (such as the goblet cells that secrete a protective
layer of mucus in the small intestine), for absorption or for protection from
abrasion. In addition to lining a large part of the digestive tract, simple
columnar epithelium can be found in the oviducts and in many glands.
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