Which epithelium lines the interior of the stomach and consists of a single layer of tall rectangular cells?

• A. Columnar epithelium
• B. Simple cuboidal epithelium
• C. Stratified squamous epithelium
• D. Ciliated epithelium

Answer: (A)

The interior lining of the stomach is formed by simple columnar epithelium—meaning a single layer of tall, rectangular cells. This shape and arrangement are ideal for secretion and a protective barrier. In the stomach, these cells line the mucosa and include mucus-secreting cells that produce a protective mucus layer, shielding the tissue from acidic gastric juice while still allowing glandular secretion. The other options don’t fit: simple cuboidal epithelium is one layer of cube-shaped cells, not tall ones; stratified squamous has multiple layers and is suited for protection against abrasion; ciliated epithelium has Cilia and is found in the respiratory and reproductive tracts, not the stomach.