052

EPITHELIUM AND
GLANDS
Dr. Larry Johnson
 Objectives
• Identify every epithelium present in any tissue section.
• Differentiate between mucus and serous secreting
epithelia.
• Identify single-celled glands, endocrine glands and the
various types of exocrine glands.
• Detail the structure of the sebaceous gland.
• Identify the different types of sweat glands and distinguish
the duct from the secretory region.
• Identify myoepithelial cells and know their function.

From: Douglas P. Dohrman and TAMHSC Faculty 2012 Structure and Function of Human Organ Systems, Histology
Laboratory Manual
 ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION OF
EPITHELIUM
ECTODERM - EPIDERMIS OF SKIN AND EPITHELIUM
OF CORNEA TOGETHER COVERS THE ENTIRE ECTODERM
SURFACE OF THE BODY; SEBACEOUS AND
MAMMARY GLANDS

ENDODERM - ALIMENTARY TRACT,

LIVER, PANCREAS, GASTRIC
GLANDS, INTESTINAL GLANDS
• ENDOCRINE GLANDS - LOSE
CONNECTION WITH SURFACE

MESODERM
MESODERM
• ENDOTHELIUM - LINING OF BLOOD VESSELS
ENDODERM
• MESOTHELIUM - LINING SEROUS CAVITIES
Characteristics of epithelium
• Classification by # of layers
• Simple = single layer
• Stratified = multiple, stacked
layers
• Pseudostratified = appears to be
multiple layers, but all cells
touch basement membrane (all
cells do not necessarily reach
lumen)
• Classification by shape
• Squamous = flat
• Cuboidal = square
• Columnar = column
Laboratory Experience
• Identify and characterize various types of epithelia

• Recognize various glands and modes of secretion

• Recognize gland associated structures/cells and differentiate glands

from their ducts

• Understand significance of cytological expression of epithelial cells

with regard to function

053 Slide 93
Slide 53 Slide 35
 Slide 33: Kidney (PAS/hematoxylin)
Periodic acid – Schiff
• Used to visualize: glycogen, glycoproteins, and glycosaminoglycans
• Steps in PAS staining
1. Periodic acid oxidizes 1,2-glycols to aldehydes
2. Schiff’s reagent colors the aldehyde groups (pink to magenta)

Brush border

The brush border is composed of

numerous microvilli which function
to increase surface area for
absorption of nutrient material and
fluid.
Basement
membrane The structure on the brush border
that stains with periodic-acid Schiff
(PAS) stain is the glycocalyx.
EM 1 & 7
Slide 33

glycocalyx

PAS
staining

Lipid in SER

Observe various brush border - microvilli

The brush border is composed of numerous microvilli of a
uniform size projecting into a lumen. Each microvillus is
composed of microfilaments (actin) surrounded by the cell
membrane.
EM 2

Stereocilia of the epididymis - long thin microvilli

Stereocilia are very long, branched, non-motile microvilli of
differing lengths that function in absorption from the lumen.
EM 5 & 6

Observe cell junctions characteristic of epithelium

 SPECIALIZATION OF EPITHELIA
MAINTAIN EXTENSIVE
CONTACTS AMONG CELLS
STRUCTURALLY AND
FUNCTIONALLY POLARIZED

JUNCTIONS
ZONULA OCCLUDENS - TIGHT
JUNCTION (BELT)
ZONULA ADHERENS –
ADHERING BELT
DESMOSOME (MACULA
ADHERENS) - SPOT ATTACHMENT
GAP JUNCTIONS - COMMUNICATION
Terminal bars

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Slide 32: Kidney (H&E)

Simple squamous Simple squamous

Simple cuboidal
Simple cuboidal
Slide 75: Thyroid gland (endocrine)

Simple cuboidal epithelium Basement membrane

SUMMARY OF TISSUE FEATURES OF
EPITHELIUM
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• AVASCULAR
• EXTRANEOUS CELLS

• REGENERATION
• MIGRATION
SUMMARY OF TISSUE FEATURES OF
EPITHELIUM
Slide 258

• AVASCULAR
• EXTRANEOUS CELLS

• REGENERATION
• MIGRATION

• METAPLASIA
• BASEMENT MEMBRANE
 SECRETION – ACTIVE PROCESS
CONSUMING ENERGY

EXOCRINE GLANDS - DELIVER

THEIR SECRETION INTO
DUCTS OPENING INTO
EXTERNAL OR INTERNAL
SURFACE

ENDOCRINE GLANDS -
DUCTLESS, DELIVER THEIR PANCREAS has exocrine
SECRETIONS INTO THE LYMPH
OR BLOOD STREAM

PANCREAS has endocrine

 EXOCRINE GLANDS
DUCT
• SIMPLE - UNBRANCHED DUCT
• COMPOUND - BRANCHED DUCT
SECRETORY PORTION
• TUBULAR
• COILED TUBULAR
• BRANCHED TUBULAR
• ALVEOLAR
• BRANCHED ACINAR
• TUBULOACINAR
• TUBULOALVEOLAR
MUCUS VS SEROUS
TUBULAR BRANCHED ACINAR
COILED TUBULAR TUBULOACINAR
BRANCHED TUBULAR TUBULOALVEOLAR
ALVEOLAR
 ACINUS = FUNCTIONAL UNIT

SEROUS
072 MUCOUS
Mucous - Light staining
Cytoplasm and dark, flattened
nucleus at base of cell

072

Serous – dark red staining cytoplasm and

lighter, spherical nucleus
Slide 072: Submandibular gland

Stratified columnar epithelia

Simple columnar epithelia
 Slide 072: Submandibular gland

Serous cells Mucous cells Serous demilune

The submandibular gland is a mixed (seromucous) gland whose mode of

secretion is merocrine secretion = exocytosis without loss of cellular components
 MECHANISM FOR RELEASE OF
SECRETORY PRODUCTS
MEROCRINE SECRETION – EXOCYTOSIS W/O LOSS OF
SURFACE MEMBRANE
APOCRINE SECRETION – LOSS OF PART OF APICAL
CYTOPLASM AND SOME PLASMA MEMBRANE
HOLOCRINE SECRETION – RELEASE OF WHOLE cell
CYTOCRINE SECRETION –
MELANIN GRANULES
TRANSFERRED FROM
MELANOCYTE TO
KERATINOCYTES
MEROCRINE APOCRINE
CYTOCRINE SECRETION - PASS MELANIN GRANULES
FROM MELANOCYTES TO KERATINOCYTES
 Alternative slide 250

Slide 61: Terminal Ileum

Brush border composed of
microvilli
Microvilli are fingerlike
projections that greatly
increase the surface
area of certain cells to
help increase
absorption. Microvilli
are non-motile and are
composed of a core of
thin microfilaments
called actin.

Goblet cell releasing contents

Simple columnar epithelium

 Alterative slide 242

Slide 40: Trachea

Goblet cell releasing

contents

Ciliated pseudostratified
columnar epithelium with
goblet cells

The main function of

cilia is to sweep or
move fluids, cells, or
particulate matter
across cell surface
in the lumen as to
remove dust in the
lungs. Microtubules
of the axoneme are
at the core of cilia
Note the thick basement membrane of the respiratory and make them
pseudostratified columnar epithelium. motile.
Slide 93: Epididymis

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia

Microvilli: small, non-motile projections composed of thin microfilaments
Stereocilia: long, non-motile projections (branched microvilli) composed of
thin microfilaments
Cilia: larger, long, motile projections composed of thick microtubules
Slide 35: Urinary bladder

Transitional epithelium

Specialized “dome-shaped”
cells

Basal cells
Slide 34: Ureter

Transitional
epithelium
Stratified squamous epithelium: the
protection epithelium
Slide 029
• Keratinized stratified squamous
(thick or thin)
• Prevent dessication
• Protect against abrasion
• Prevent foreign invasion
• Ex. Slide 29: Thick skin (ventral
surface of finger)
Slide 52
• Non-keratinized stratified
squamous
• Moist lubricated surface
• Ex. Slide 52: Tongue
Slide 52 : Tongue

Non-keratinized stratified Mucous acini Serous acini

squamous epithelium
Mucous cells stain light and serous cells stain dark.
Slide 53: Esophagus

Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium

Slide 29: Thick skin (ventral surface of finger)

Epidermis with
keratinized stratified
squamous epithelium

Dermis

Hypodermis

The major function of this type of epithelium (thick skin) is for

protection from mechanical stress, but it also prevents dehydration.
Slide 29 : Thick skin (ventral surface of
finger)

Keratinized stratified
squamous epithelium

Polyhedral cells

Cuboidal cells of the stratum

basale

The cells in the stratum

basale serve as stem
cells for the epidermis,
and their progeny
differentiate as they move
away from the base.
 Slide 29 : Thick skin (ventral surface of
finger)

Duct of eccrine sweat

gland with stratified
cuboidal epithelium

Eccrine sweat gland

Myoepithelial cells

Myoepithelial cells are eosinophilic because of the presence of a

high density of contractile protein. These cells surround the gland
like a net and expel glandular secretions upon contraction.
Slide 31: Thin skin (scalp)
Sebaceous glands

The mode of secretion

used by sebaceous glands
is holocrine secretion

Keratinized, stratified
squamous epithelium
Slide 66: Recto-anal junction

Anus – stratified squamous Rectum - simple columnar epithelium

Slide 66 : Recto-anal junction

Sebaceous glands Apocrine sweat gland Eccrine sweat gland

GLANDS OF EPIDERMAL ORIGIN

SWEAT GLANDS
• ECCRINE - COMMON
SWEAT GLAND -
LOCAL COOLING

• APOCRINE AXILLARY
REGION - FUNCTION
IN ANIMALS,
discharge in hair follicle
 Epithelial tissues of the body

• Use table as guide

• Generalizations
• Entire GI system from gastro-
esophageal junction to recto-
anal junction is lined by
simple columnar epithelium
• Cilia is present in most
respiratory passages
 EPITHELIA ARE SPECIALIZED FOR
FUNCTIONS
ABSORPTION - INTESTINE
SECRETION - PANCREAS
TRANSPORT - EYE, ENDOTHELIUM IN VESSELS
EXCRETION - KIDNEY
PROTECTION – AGAINST
MECHANICAL
DAMAGE AND
DEHYDRATION
SENSORY RECEPTION –
PAIN TO AVOID
INJURY, TASTE BUDS,
OLFACTORY, ETC.
CONTRACTION –
MYOEPITHELIUM
SURFACE SPECIALIZATIONS OF
EPITHELIA
MICROVILLI - INTESTINE ABSORPTIVE CELL
CILIA - RESPIRATORY EPITHELIUM
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BASAL LAMINA – ALL

EPITHELIUM
038b

33
INTERCELLULAR CANALICULUS –
HEPATOCYTE
SECRETORY CANALICULUS –
GASTRIC PARIETAL CELL
FLAGELLA
 SURFACE SPECIALIZATIONS OF EPITHELIA

INTERCELLULAR CANALICULUS –
HEPATOCYTE
 SURFACE SPECIALIZATIONS OF EPITHELIA

SECRETORY CANALICULUS –
GASTRIC PARIETAL CELL
 Clinical Correlation

Slide 38

Edward C. Klatt, M.D.

Mercer University School of Medicine

Normal larynx with ciliated Abnormal larynx with stratified

pseudostratified columnar epithelium squamous epithelium
Many illustrations in these VIBS Histology YouTube videos were modified
from the following books and sources: Many thanks to original sources!
• Bruce Alberts, et al. 1983. Molecular Biology of the Cell. Garland Publishing, Inc., New York, NY.
• Bruce Alberts, et al. 1994. Molecular Biology of the Cell. Garland Publishing, Inc., New York, NY.

• William J. Banks, 1981. Applied Veterinary Histology. Williams and Wilkins, Los Angeles, CA.

• Hans Elias, et al. 1978. Histology and Human Microanatomy. John Wiley and Sons, New York, NY.

• Don W. Fawcett. 1986. Bloom and Fawcett. A textbook of histology. W. B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, PA.

• Don W. Fawcett. 1994. Bloom and Fawcett. A textbook of histology. Chapman and Hall, New York, NY.

• Arthur W. Ham and David H. Cormack. 1979. Histology. J. S. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia, PA.

• Luis C. Junqueira, et al. 1983. Basic Histology. Lange Medical Publications, Los Altos, CA.

• L. Carlos Junqueira, et al. 1995. Basic Histology. Appleton and Lange, Norwalk, CT.

• L.L. Langley, et al. 1974. Dynamic Anatomy and Physiology. McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, NY.

• W.W. Tuttle and Byron A. Schottelius. 1969. Textbook of Physiology. The C. V. Mosby Company, St. Louis, MO.

• Leon Weiss. 1977. Histology Cell and Tissue Biology. Elsevier Biomedical, New York, NY.
• Leon Weiss and Roy O. Greep. 1977. Histology. McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, NY.

• Nature (http://www.nature.com), Vol. 414:88,2001.

• A.L. Mescher 2013 Junqueira’s Basis Histology text and atlas, 13th ed. McGraw

• Douglas P. Dohrman and TAMHSC Faculty 2012 Structure and Function of Human Organ Systems, Histology Laboratory
Manual - Slide selections were largely based on this manual for first year medical students at TAMHSC
The End!