In humans, simple columnar epithelium lines most organs of the digestive tract including the stomach, and intestines.

The ciliated part of the simple columnar epithelium has tiny hairs which help move mucus and other substances up the respiratory tract.

Non-ciliated simple columnar epithelium is made up of glandular goblet cells which secrete mucin to form mucus.

It is present in the lining of the fallopian tubes, where currents generated by the cilia propel the egg cell toward the uterus.

Ciliated columnar epithelium forms the neuroepithelium of the ependyma that lines the ventricles of the brain and central canal of the spinal cord.