Epithelium I Epithelial Components

Basic Tissues

1. Epithelial Tissues
Tissue that covers and lines organs and organisms, found on the surface
2. Connective Tissues
Tissue that Supports and connects, not found on the surface
3. Muscle Tissue
Tissue that contracts and produces motion and/or locomotion
4. Nerve Tissue
Tissue that respons to stimuli and conducts impulses, communication of
information

Major Tissue Components

1. Cells
2. Fibers
3. Matrix (ground substance)

Epithelial Cell Organization

Classification of epithelia based on cellular component

1. Cell shape
a. Squamous cells
Flat or thin cytoplasm, the nuclei bulge above the cytoplasmic thickness
Functional characteristic: thin cytoplasmic adaptation for "diffusion "
b. Cuboidal cells
Square cells with round centrally located nuclei
Functional characteristic: Organelles for energy production and
secretory activity
c. Columnar cells
Tall or "column like" cells, normally oval shaped nuclei located near the
 attached surface.
Functional characteristic: Organelles for energy production and
secretory activity
2. Cell layers
a. Simple Epithelium = Single layer
Diffusion membranes
b. Stratified Epithelium = Two or more layers of cells Basal layer:
generative (mitosis), Surface layer : mature cell type

Specializations of Epithelial cells:

a. cilia: contain microtubules, used to move materials across the surface of a

cell
b. microvilli: increase surface area for absorption.
c. flagella: contain organized microtubules, used to move a cell from one
area to another.
d. cellular junctions: gap, desmosomes, tight junctions etc.

Fibers

1. Reduced in Epithelium
2. Basement membrane, fibers secreted by epithelial cells at their attached
surface

Matrix

1. Extremely reduced
Epithelium II Simple Epithelia

Classification of Epithelia

1. Simple Squamous Epithelium ,

Single layer of cells, mesothelium lining body cavities, endothelium lining
blood vessels internal surface with friction:
Simple Squamous epithelium can be found in Bow's capsule of the renal
corpuscle in the kidney cortex and Henli's loop. All capillaries are Simple
Squamous epithelium as well as the lining of the heart and blood vessels.
The alveolar sacs of the lung are also lined with simple squamous. The
nuclei bulging in to lumen of these structures can be clearly seen.

2. Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

Single layers of "cube like" cells can be found in the follicles in the thyroid
gland, form the proximal and distal tubules of the nephrons in the kidney.
They form the secretory epithelium and ducts of many glands such as the
salivary glands and the pancreas. Note the rounded nuclei. A Brush
border is found in the Proximal Convoluted Tubule of kidney. What is this
brush border? Hint see specializations of cells.
3. Simple Columnar Epithelium
Single layer of tall, column like cells. Note the oval shape of nuclei and
their rather regular positions in respect to the length of the cell. Cell
membranes are clearly distinct. In Intestinal epithelium, a striated border
is found on free surface. The attached margin of each cell is irregular and
meshes into the fibers of the underlying tissue of the basement membrane.

4. Pseudostratified Ciliated Columnar photo at top right on this page

Columnar cells appear to be in layers but are not. all cells are attached to
the basement membrane
The layered appearance is due to the different positions of the nuclei of
these cells.
1. Basal cells are short and irregular with their nuclei near the
basement membrane
2. Pyramidal cells have their nuclei about in the center of the cell,
midway between the base and the free epithelial surface
3. Columnar cells extend from the basement membrane to the free
surface; their nucleir are closest to the free surface. Only cells that
reach the free surface have cilia.

Some Pseudostratified epithelia have only 2 layers of cells. In

Respiratory epithelium there are all three types of cells. Single mucous
secreting gland cells are found scattered among these. The vas deferens
contains two types of cells and the free surface contains stereocilia
[branched microvilli, not true cilia].
Glands - All Glands [exocrine and endocrine} are produces by epithelial
tissue.

1. Endocrine Glands = secret into tissue spaces & blood vessels, ductless
glands, secrete hormones into the bloodstream
2. Exocrine Glands secrete onto epithelial surfaces, ducts: carry exocrine
secretions to surfaces
Gland types
a. holocrine gland: cell breaks down completely, releasing cytoplasmic
contents, produces a lipid, sebum, sebaceous glands are examples
b. merocrine gland: cell secretes through exocytosis; watery,
electrolyte solution, eccrine sweat gland
c. apocrine gland: cell sheds distal cytoplasm; viscous, odorous
secretion

Secretions

a. serous secretions are watery and contain enzymes;

b. mucous secretions are viscous and provide lubrication
2. Simple unicelinar glands

These are found scattered among the epithelial cells. The goblet cells in
intestinal epithelia and the mucous cells in the respiratory tract are simple
Unicellular Glands. The goblet cells are nearly filled by a large mucous drop
and the "stem" contains the displaced nucleus which extends to the basement
membrane

Note: Mucus in goblet cell from intestinal epithelium

3. Multicellular Glands These glands result from the ingrowth of the

epithelium into the underlying connective tissue and are connected to the
epithelial surface by a duct. The cells in the lower portion of the gland
become secretory in nature, producing either mucus or a watery
secretion(serous).

The secretory portion may be tubular or acinar, simple or branched, or

a combination of these. Note the position of the nucleus and the
staining reaction of the mucus in mixed glands (serous cells and
mucous cells). Mucous and serous cells Note the difference in staining
note the secretory granules in the cytoplasm of the differentiated
secretory cells.
Epithelial Cell Membranes (epithelium & underlying Connective tissue)

1. Mucous membranes:
viscous secretions, line passageways connected to the exterior.
ex. GI tract, esophagus, trachea
2. Serous membranes:
watery fluid secretions, line internal cavities to reduce friction
ex. pericardium, peritoneum, endocardium, endothelium, pleura