Epithelial Tissue

Epithelial Tissue
Four Primary tissues of the body-
Epithelial
Connective tissue
Nervous tissue
Muscular tissue
 Epithelial tissue can be divided to 2 main
groups –
• Covering and lining membranes
• Glands that develop from epithelial
membranes
• Epithelium may be defined as layered
collection of adherent cells
with very little intercellular substance
usually covering or lining external and
internal surfaces.
• Epithelial membranes may be derived
from all 3 germ layers.
Ectoderm
Mesoderm
Endoderm
• Epithelium lining body cavities, derived
from mesoderm (mesenchyme)-
mesothelium
eg. Pericardial
Pleural
Peritoneal membranes
Lining of blood vessels-from mesoderm-
Endothelium
Functions of an epithelium vary. These
include
• Protection against abrasion and drying- in
skin
• Diffusion- in capillaries and lung alveoli
• Secretion- GI Tract (Stomach,Intestines)
• Absorption- GI Tract
• Response to changes in surface area –
urinary bladder
• Smooth gliding- mesothelial lining of
closed cavities
• Special types-
Myoepithelial cells – contractile
Around ducts
Mammary gland

Neuro-epithelium- sensory receptors

taste buds
Common features –
• Formed entirely of adherent cells
• Fitted closely by cell junctions
• Avascular
• Nourished by diffusion
• Very little intercellular substance
• Epithelial cells have luminal( Apical),
basal and lateral surfaces.
• Apical surface shows specializations like
microvilli, cilia
• Basal surface rests on a basement
membrane and underlying connective
tissue.
• Lateral surface shows interdigitations.
• The structure of an epithelium is adapted
to its function and would differ by variation
of
• Cell shape
• Number of layers
• Type of adherence
• Mitotic activity
• Secretory or absorptive potential
• Adaptation to sensory perception
• The number of cell layers
* Simple (single layer)
* Stratified(several layers)
• Shape of component cells reflected in
the shape of the nuclei
* Simple columnar
* Simple squamous
• Classification and terminology- based on
• Specializations on apical surface such
as
Cilia, Keratin, Microvilli (brush border)
• Functional polarity is demonstrated in
some epithelial cells.
• Substances pass through the cells in both
directions and this requires the polarity in
the arrangement of the cytoplasmic
organelles and contents
• Maintenance of a specific shape is
important for its functional and
mechanical integrity.
• Examples: 1. Golgi between the nucleus
and the apical surface
2.Mitochondria in relation to basal infoldings
(ion transport)
3.Cilia and microvilli only on apical surfaces
4.Mitotic activity and cell proliferation from
deep to superficial
• Mechanical intergrity is provided by the
cytoskeleton and by intracellular
attachments.
1.Cytoskeleton- internal scaffolding,
terminal web, tonofilaments
2.Intercellular attachments- desmosomes,
hemidesmosomes, junctional complexes
and gap junctions
Types of Epithelia
Simple squamous (pavement)
irregular shape
little cytoplasm
nucleus bulge in the lumen.
pinocytotic vesicles are present
single, thin flat scale like cells
A – cell membrane
B – nucleus
C - cytoplasm
file:///D:/My Documents/2740 epithelial tissues_files/1simpsqua.jpg

file:///D:/My Documents/2740 epithelial tissues_files/1lung.jpg

• It lines surfaces involved in passive
diffusion as in alveoli of lung,
* blood capillaries(endothelium),
• lining body cavities(mesothelium).
• found in subarachnoid and subdural
spaces and in the chambers of the eye.
• Simple cuboidal
file:///D:/My Documents/2740 epithelial tissues_files/1cuboidal.jpg

epihtelium
• lines small ducts.
• Sections cut at right
angles appear as
cubes.
• Nuclei are rounded.
• Functions: secretion
excretion, and
absorption
Simple columnar epithelium
•The height of the cells may vary.
• are elongated and
•Nuclei
located at the base of the cell
and at right angles to the base.
•They are found in highly
absorptive and secretory sites.
•In the lining of the small intestine.
•Numerous microvilli, if present
form a brush border that increases the
absorptive surface.
B – Nucleus file:///D:/My Documents/2740 epithelial tissues_files/1simpcolum.jpg

A – columnar cells
C – cell Membrane
Simple columnar
epithelium
•Sites where chief
function is – protection
Eg. ducts of glands
bronchioles
•Sites where cells can
both secrete and
absorb.
Small intestine
•Sites where the cells are specialized to
secrete -
surface lining of stomach
cervical canal
**In such sites cells appear frothy in H& E

Simple columnar ciliated epithelium

Uterine tube
ciliated - cilia beat in such a way, move
mucus along the surface.
Cilia are found on the luminal surface of
most of the lining cells and facilitates
transport of the ovum
• Pseudostratified
columnar epithelium.
• is a simple epithelium
where the nuclei are
found at different levels.
• All cells rest on the
basement membrane
but all cells do not reach
the lumen.
 file:///D:/My Documents/2740 epithelial tissues_files/1pseudostr.jpg

Line A cuts through

the epithelium.
B- Cilia
C - Nuclei
• It is ciliated in the respiratory system
lining the large airways -
respiratory epithelium
Function: trap and move "pollutants" to
the mouth where they are swallowed.

In parts of the male genital system it

has large microvilli or stereocilia on
the surface.
• has an absorptive function.
Stratified squamous
epithelium
serves mainly a function
of protection.
The basal cells are
columnar, divide and and
become cuboidal as they
pass to the surface
Surface cells are
squamous. They are
degenerated, are shed,
are replaced by the cells
by dividing cells of the
deeper layers.
Non keratinised file:///D:/My Documents/2740 epithelial tissues_files/1stratsqua.jpg

stratified squamous
(wet) epithelium
• is found in the upper
part of the GI tract
• A- is the epithelium
• A is the thickness
of the epithelium
• B – surface nuclei

file:///D:/My Documents/2740 epithelial tissues_files/1stsq.jpg

Keratinized type (dry)
• is found in parts of the
body exposed to the
atmosphere
• is covered with
waterproof coating or
keratin.
• on the palms and
soles, the keratin is
thick and protects the
skin from abrasion
and dessication.
• Stratified cuboidal /
columnar epithelium
• this is 2-3 layers thick
• found in large ducts of
exocrine glands (salivary
glands, sweat glands)
• when more protection
than that given by a
simple epithelium is
needed.
• It has no significant
absorptive or secretory
function.
Transitional epithelium
•is found in the urinary tract.
•It is specialized to stretch
and also to withstand the
toxicity of urine.
•It is made up of 5-6 layers
of cells.
•In a relaxed state (when the
surface is contracted)
the superficial cells are
large, rounded and pale
stained with the luminal
surface presenting a
scalloped outline.
• The cell membrane on
the epithelium appears
thinner with the
superficial layers
flattened.
• Tight junctions between
the surface epithelial
cells prevent intercellular
diffusion.
• In the deeper layers
desmosomes are fewer
but there are numerous
interdigitations and
infoldings.
Four Primary tissues of the body-
Epithelial
Connective tissue
Nervous tissue
Muscular tissue
 Epithelial tissue can be divided to 2 main
groups –
• Covering and lining membranes
• Glands that develop from epithelial
membranes
• Epithelium may be defined as layered
collection of adherent cells
with very little intercellular substance
usually covering or lining external and
internal surfaces.
• Epithelial membranes may be derived
from all 3 germ layers.
Ectoderm
Mesoderm
Endoderm
• Epithelium lining body cavities, derived
from mesoderm (mesenchyme)-
mesothelium
eg. Pericardial
Pleural
Peritoneal membranes
Lining of blood vessels-from mesoderm-
Endothelium
Functions of an epithelium vary. These
include
• Protection against abrasion and drying- in
skin
• Diffusion- in capillaries and lung alveoli
• Secretion- GI Tract (Stomach,Intestines)
• Absorption- GI Tract
• Response to changes in surface area –
urinary bladder
• Smooth gliding- mesothelial lining of
closed cavities
• Special types-
Myoepithelial cells – contractile
Around ducts
Mammary gland

Neuro-epithelium- sensory receptors

taste buds
Common features –
• Formed entirely of adherent cells
• Fitted closely by cell junctions
• Avascular
• Nourished by diffusion
• Very little intercellular substance
• Epithelial cells have luminal( Apical),
basal and lateral surfaces.
• Apical surface shows specializations like
microvilli, cilia
• Basal surface rests on a basement
membrane and underlying connective
tissue.
• Lateral surface shows interdigitations.
• The structure of an epithelium is adapted
to its function and would differ by variation
of
• Cell shape
• Number of layers
• Type of adherence
• Mitotic activity
• Secretory or absorptive potential
• Adaptation to sensory perception
• The number of cell layers
* Simple (single layer)
* Stratified(several layers)
• Shape of component cells reflected in
the shape of the nuclei
* Simple columnar
* Simple squamous
• Classification and terminology- based on
• Specializations on apical surface such
as
Cilia, Keratin, Microvilli (brush border)
• Functional polarity is demonstrated in
some epithelial cells.
• Substances pass through the cells in both
directions and this requires the polarity in
the arrangement of the cytoplasmic
organelles and contents
• Maintenance of a specific shape is
important for its functional and
mechanical integrity.
• Examples: 1. Golgi between the nucleus
and the apical surface
2.Mitochondria in relation to basal infoldings
(ion transport)
3.Cilia and microvilli only on apical surfaces
4.Mitotic activity and cell proliferation from
deep to superficial
• Mechanical intergrity is provided by the
cytoskeleton and by intracellular
attachments.
1.Cytoskeleton- internal scaffolding,
terminal web, tonofilaments
2.Intercellular attachments- desmosomes,
hemidesmosomes, junctional complexes
and gap junctions
Types of Epithelia
Simple squamous (pavement)
irregular shape
little cytoplasm
nucleus bulge in the lumen.
pinocytotic vesicles are present
single, thin flat scale like cells
A – cell membrane
B – nucleus
C - cytoplasm
file:///D:/My Documents/2740 epithelial tissues_files/1simpsqua.jpg

file:///D:/My Documents/2740 epithelial tissues_files/1lung.jpg

• It lines surfaces involved in passive
diffusion as in alveoli of lung,
* blood capillaries(endothelium),
• lining body cavities(mesothelium).
• found in subarachnoid and subdural
spaces and in the chambers of the eye.
• Simple cuboidal
file:///D:/My Documents/2740 epithelial tissues_files/1cuboidal.jpg

epihtelium
• lines small ducts.
• Sections cut at right
angles appear as
cubes.
• Nuclei are rounded.
• Functions: secretion
excretion, and
absorption
Simple columnar epithelium
•The height of the cells may vary.
• are elongated and
•Nuclei
located at the base of the cell
and at right angles to the base.
•They are found in highly
absorptive and secretory sites.
•In the lining of the small intestine.
•Numerous microvilli, if present
form a brush border that increases the
absorptive surface.
B – Nucleus file:///D:/My Documents/2740 epithelial tissues_files/1simpcolum.jpg

A – columnar cells
C – cell Membrane
Simple columnar
epithelium
•Sites where chief
function is – protection
Eg. ducts of glands
bronchioles
•Sites where cells can
both secrete and
absorb.
Small intestine
•Sites where the cells are specialized to
secrete -
surface lining of stomach
cervical canal
**In such sites cells appear frothy in H& E

Simple columnar ciliated epithelium

Uterine tube
ciliated - cilia beat in such a way, move
mucus along the surface.
Cilia are found on the luminal surface of
most of the lining cells and facilitates
transport of the ovum
• Pseudostratified
columnar epithelium.
• is a simple epithelium
where the nuclei are
found at different levels.
• All cells rest on the
basement membrane
but all cells do not reach
the lumen.
 file:///D:/My Documents/2740 epithelial tissues_files/1pseudostr.jpg

Line A cuts through

the epithelium.
B- Cilia
C - Nuclei
• It is ciliated in the respiratory system
lining the large airways -
respiratory epithelium
Function: trap and move "pollutants" to
the mouth where they are swallowed.

In parts of the male genital system it

has large microvilli or stereocilia on
the surface.
• has an absorptive function.
Stratified squamous
epithelium
serves mainly a function
of protection.
The basal cells are
columnar, divide and and
become cuboidal as they
pass to the surface
Surface cells are
squamous. They are
degenerated, are shed,
are replaced by the cells
by dividing cells of the
deeper layers.
Non keratinised file:///D:/My Documents/2740 epithelial tissues_files/1stratsqua.jpg

stratified squamous
(wet) epithelium
• is found in the upper
part of the GI tract
• A- is the epithelium
• A is the thickness
of the epithelium
• B – surface nuclei

file:///D:/My Documents/2740 epithelial tissues_files/1stsq.jpg

Keratinized type (dry)
• is found in parts of the
body exposed to the
atmosphere
• is covered with
waterproof coating or
keratin.
• on the palms and
soles, the keratin is
thick and protects the
skin from abrasion
and dessication.
• Stratified cuboidal /
columnar epithelium
• this is 2-3 layers thick
• found in large ducts of
exocrine glands (salivary
glands, sweat glands)
• when more protection
than that given by a
simple epithelium is
needed.
• It has no significant
absorptive or secretory
function.
Transitional epithelium
•is found in the urinary tract.
•It is specialized to stretch
and also to withstand the
toxicity of urine.
•It is made up of 5-6 layers
of cells.
•In a relaxed state (when the
surface is contracted)
the superficial cells are
large, rounded and pale
stained with the luminal
surface presenting a
scalloped outline.
• The cell membrane on
the epithelium appears
thinner with the
superficial layers
flattened.
• Tight junctions between
the surface epithelial
cells prevent intercellular
diffusion.
• In the deeper layers
desmosomes are fewer
but there are numerous
interdigitations and
infoldings.