Similar to the compound cubic epithelium, the multilayered cylindrical epithelium is also very rare in the human body and in that of other mammals. We find it for example in the large excretory ducts, in the male urethra, in a short section of the epiglottis, on the inner surface of the eyelid and in the uterus.
The compound cylindrical epithelium combines good mechanical strength with excellent containment capacity.
The basal cell layer is smaller in size and more cubic in shape, while the superficial layer cells are cylindrical (batiprismatic).
As seen for the other multilayered epithelia, the basal layer (not by chance also called germinative) represents a reserve of unipotent stem cells capable of regenerating the tissue.
