Where are squamous cells located in humans?

Squamous cells are found on the outer layer of the skin, the passages of the digestive and respiratory tracts, and the lining of the hollow organs of the body. Squamous cells get their name from their flat, scale-like shape.

The shape of squamous epithelial cells assists their function in the indiscriminate passage of molecules via diffusion or filtration, according to the Victoria College Department of Biology. The cells create a very smooth surface that makes them ideal for lining structures that require little friction or drag, such as the lining of arteries or veins and the alveoli of the lungs.