Simple Cuboidal

This image shows the simple cuboidal epithelium of the kidney tubules. Simple cuboidal epithelia occur widely in the body in many glands and glandular ducts, such as the salivary ducts, pancreatic duct, bile duct, and kidney tubules.These epithelia are composed of cells that are short prisms with a top, bottom, and six sides. The side of the cell that faces the free surface is called the apex, and the side that faces the underlying tissues is the base. Identify the apical and basal surfaces of these cells. The apical surface of the epithelia forms the lumen. Note the pink-stained basement membrane that lies beneath the basal surface of the epithelia.