Answer
Lining and covering epithelia are described by the shape (the three most common being squamous, cubioidal, and columnar) and the number of cell layers visible (simple denotes only one layer while stratified denotes multiple layers; transitional is one layer that seems like many layers, and is uncommon in the human body). In some cases, epithelia are also identified by their location in the body.
Work Step by Step
"Squamous" epithelia have very flat cells. "Cuboidal" epithelia have cells that are square-like in shape. "Columnar" epithelia have cells that are rectuangular-shaped. "Simple" indicates there is only one simple layer, while "Stratified" indicates there are many cell layers arranged on top of one another. "Pseudostratified" indicates the cells are arranged like "simple" epithelia, except that it looks as if the cells are arranged on top of one another like stratified epithelia.