Cuboidal cells
Tall as they are wide, shaped like cubes or hexagons. Have microvilli at their apical surface and function in either secretion or absorption
Squamous cells
Flat, appear squished, thin. Allows for rapid passage of substances through them
Columnar cells
Taller than they are wide, like columns protect underlying tissue. Apical surface may have cilia or microvilli. Secretion and absorption
Transitional cells
Change shape, from squamous to cuboidal and back. (Ex. Urinary bladder)