A<unk>  consists of<unk>  (flattened) epithelial cells arranged in layers upon a basal membrane. Only one layer is in contact with the basement membrane; the other layers adhere to one another to maintain structural integrity. Although this epithelium is referred to as<unk> , many cells within the layers may not be flattened; this is due to the convention of naming epithelia according to the cell type at the surface. In the deeper layers, the cells may be columnar or cuboidal. There are no intercellular spaces. This type of epithelium is well suited to areas in the body subject to constant abrasion, as the thickest layers can be sequentially sloughed off and replaced before the basement membrane is exposed. It forms the outermost layer of the skin and the inner lining of the mouth, esophagus and vagina. In the epidermis of skin in mammals, reptiles, and birds, the layer of keratin in the outer layer of the<unk><unk>  epithelial surface is named the stratum corneum. Stratum corneum is made up of<unk>  cells which are keratinized and dead. These are shed periodically.
Stratified squamous epithelium
Athelia 
Inner enamel epithelium
Granulation tissue
Decoy cells
Ganglion cell layer
Keratinocyte
Enterochromaffin-like cell