Simple cuboidal epithelium consists of a monolayer of epithelial cells that appear to be square-shaped in cross section. With large, rounded, centrally located nuclei, all the cells of this epithelium are directly attached to the basement membrane.
In the kidney, this tissue is found in the proximal and distal convoluted tubules of a nephron, as well as in collecting ducts. Here, these cells are specialized to perform selective secretion and reabsorption in the process of generating urine. Selective reabsorption is also important when these cells are found in the ducts of the male reproductive tract. Tubuli recti and rete testis, structures that connect the seminiferous tubules to the epididymis, are lined with cuboidal cells that begin the process of reabsorbing fluid and concentrating sperm.
Simple cuboidal epithelium consists of a monolayer of epithelial cells that appear to be square-shaped in cross section. With large, rounded, centrally located nuclei, all the cells of this epithelium are directly attached to the basement membrane.
In the kidney, this tissue is found in the proximal and distal convoluted tubules of a nephron, as well as in collecting ducts. Here, these cells are specialized to perform selective secretion and reabsorption in the process of generating urine. Selective reabsorption is also important when these cells are found in the ducts of the male reproductive tract. Tubuli recti and rete testis, structures that connect the seminiferous tubules to the epididymis, are lined with cuboidal cells that begin the process of reabsorbing fluid and concentrating sperm.