Epithelial and

Connective Tissues
by

Zen Hafy

Department of Histology FK UNSRI

TISSUES AND HISTOLOGY

Tissues - collections of similar cells and the substances
surrounding them
Tissue classification based on: structure of cells,
composition of noncellular extracellular matrix, and cell
function

Major types of adult tissues

Epithelial
Connective
Muscle
Nervous
Histology: Microscopic Study of Tissues
Biopsy: removal of tissues for diagnostic purposes
Autopsy: examination of organs of a dead body to
determine cause of death

EMBRYONIC TISSUE

3 major germ layers that form the embryonic disc (source of stem cells)
Endoderm
Inner layer
Forms lining of digestive tract and derivatives
Mesoderm
Middle layer
Forms tissues as such muscle, bone, blood vessels
Ectoderm
Outer layer
Forms skin and neuroectoderm

I. EPITHELIAL TISSUE

Cellularity - Consists almost entirely

of cells
Covers body surfaces, lines hollow
organs, and forms glands
Outside surface of the body
Lining of digestive, respiratory and
urogenital systems
Heart and blood vessels
Linings of many body cavities
Polarity - Has apical, basal, and
lateral surfaces
Rests on a basement membrane
Specialized cell contacts bind
adjacent cells together
Avascular - no blood vessels
Regenerative -Replaces lost cells by
cell division

FUNCTIONS OF EPITHELIA
Protecting underlying structures; e.g.,
epithelium lining the mouth
Acting as barriers; e.g., skin
Permitting the passage of substances;
e.g., cells lining air sacs in lungs and
nephrons in kidney
Secreting substances; e.g., pancreatic
cells
Absorbing substances; e.g., lining of
stomach and small intestine

SPECIAL
CHARACTERISTICS OF
EPITHELIA

Figure 4.1

CLASSIFICATION OF
EPITHELIUM
Number of layers of cells
Simple- one layer of cells. Each extends from
basement membrane to the free surface
Stratified- more than one layer.
Pseudostratified- tissue appears to be
stratified, but all cells contact basement
membrane so it is in fact simple

Shape of cells
Squamous- flat, scale-like
Cuboidal- about equal in height and width
Columnar- taller than wide

CLASSIFICATIONS OF
EPITHELIA
squamous
Apical surface

cuboidal
Basal surface

Simple
Apical surface

Basal surface

Stratified

columnar

SIMPLE SQUAMOUS
EPITHELIUM

Figure 4.3a

SIMPLE CUBOIDAL
EPITHELIUM
Description: Single
layer of cube-like
cells with large,
spherical central
nuclei.

Function:
Secretion and
absorption.
Figure 4.3b

SIMPLE COLUMNAR
EPITHELIUM

Figure 4.3c

PSEUDOSTRATIFIED CILIATED
COLUMNAR EPITHELIUM

Figure 4.3d

STRATIFIED EPITHELIA
Contain two or more layers of
cells
Regenerate from below
Major role is protection
Are named according to the
shape of cells at apical layer

STRATIFIED SQUAMOUS
EPITHELIUM
Description
Many layers of cells
squamous in shape
Deeper layers of cells appear
cuboidal or columnar
Thickest epithelial tissue
adapted for protection

STRATIFIED SQUAMOUS
EPITHELIUM
Specific types
Keratinized contain the
protective protein keratin
Surface cells are dead and
full of keratin
Non-keratinized forms moist
lining of body openings

STRATIFIED SQUAMOUS
EPITHELIUM
Function Protects underlying
tissues in areas subject to
abrasion
Location
Keratinized forms epidermis
Non-keratinized forms lining of
esophagus, mouth, and vagina

STRATIFIED SQUAMOUS
EPITHELIUM

Figure 4.3e

TRANSITIONAL
EPITHELIUM

Figure 4.3h

EPITHELIUM: GLANDULAR
A gland is one or more cells that makes and secretes an
aqueous fluid
Two types of glands formed by infolding of epithelium:
Endocrine: no contact with exterior of body; ductless;
produce hormones (pituitary, thyroid, adrenals,
pancreas)
Exocrine: open to exterior of body via ducts (sweat, oil)
Exocrine glands classified either by structure or by the
method of secretion
Classified by structure
Unicellular: goblet cells
Multicellular: sweat, oil, pituitary, adrenal

MULTICELLULAR EXOCRINE
GLANDS
Classified on the basis of types
of ducts or mode of secretion

Types of ducts
Simple: ducts with few
branches
Compound: ducts with many
branches
If ducts end in tubules or
sac-like structures: acini.
Pancreas
If ducts end in simple sacs:
alveoli. Lungs

LATERAL SURFACE
FEATURES
Tight junctions
Desmosomes
Gap junctions

MEMBRANE JUNCTIONS: TIGHT

JUNCTION

Integral proteins of adjacent

cells fuse together
Completely encircle the cell
and form an adhesion belt.
Form an impermeable
junction.
Common near apical region

LATERAL SURFACE
FEATURES CELL
JUNCTIONS

Desmosomes two disc-like plaques

connected across intercellular space
Plaques of adjoining cells are joined
by proteins called cadherins
Proteins interdigitate into
extracellular space
Intermediate filaments insert into
plaques from cytoplasmic side

MEMBRANE JUNCTIONS:
DESMOSOME
Linker proteins extend
from plaque like teeth of
a zipper.
Intermediate filaments
extend across width of
cell.

Common in superficial layers of skin; skin

peels after a sunburn
Reduces chance of tearing, twisting, stretching
Figure 3.5b

MEMBRANE JUNCTIONS: GAP

JUNCTION

Connexon proteins are transmembrane proteins.

Present in electrically excitable
tissues (heart, smooth muscle)

BASAL FEATURE: THE

BASAL LAMINA

Noncellular supporting sheet between the

epithelium and the connective tissue deep to it
Consists of proteins secreted by the epithelial
cells
Functions:
-Acts as a selective filter, determining which
molecules from capillaries enter the epithelium
-Acts as scaffolding along which regenerating
epithelial cells can migrate

Basal lamina and reticular layers of the

underlying connective tissue deep to it form
the basement membrane

EPITHELIAL SURFACE
FEATURES
Apical surface features
Microvilli finger-like extensions of
plasma membrane
Abundant in epithelia of small intestine
and kidney
Maximize surface area across which
small molecules enter or leave
Cilia whip-like, highly motile extensions
of apical surface membranes
Movement of cilia in coordinated waves

CONNECTIVE TISSUE
Most diverse and abundant tissue
Main classes
Connective tissue proper
Cartilage
Bone tissue
Blood
Characteristics
Mesenchyme as their common tissue of origin
(mesenchyme derived from mesoderm)
Varying degrees of vascularity
Nonliving extracellular matrix, consisting of ground
substance and fibers
Cells are not as abundant nor as tightly packed
together as in epithelium

CONNECTIVE TISSUE: EMBRYONIC

ORIGIN

Figure 4.5

FUNCTIONS OF CONNECTIVE
TISSUE
Enclose organs as a capsule and separate
organs into layers. Areolar
Connect tissues to one another. Tendons
and ligaments.
Support and movement. Bones.
Storage. Fat.
Insulation. Fat.
Transport. Blood.
Protection. Bone, cells of the immune
system.

STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS
OF CONNECTIVE TISSUE
Ground substance unstructured
material that fills the space between
cells
Fibers collagen, elastic, or reticular
Cells fibroblasts, chondroblasts,
osteoblasts, hematopoietic stem
cells, and others

CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS

Fibroblasts - secrete the proteins needed for fiber
synthesis and components of the extracellular matrix
Adipose or fat cells (adipocytes). Common in some
tissues (dermis of skin); rare in some (cartilage)
Mast cells. Common beneath membranes; along small
blood vessels. Can release heparin, histamine, and
proteolytic enzymes in response to injury.
Leukocytes (WBCs). Respond to injury or infection
Macrophages. Derived from monocytes (a WBC).
Phagocytic; provide protection
Chondroblasts - form cartilage
Osteoblasts - form bone
Hematopoietic stem cells - form blood cells
Undifferentiated mesenchyme (stem cells). Have
potential to differentiate into adult cell types.

EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX ECM

ECM
has 3 major components
1. Protein fibers

2. Ground substance

3. Fluid

Protein fibers
Collagen fibers. Composed of the protein collagen.
Strong, flexible, inelastic; great tensile strength
(i.e. resist stretch). Perfect for tendons, ligaments
Elastic fibers. Contain molecules of protein elastin
that resemble coiled springs. Returns to its original
shape after stretching or compression. Perfect for
lungs, large blood vessels
Reticular fibers. Formed from fine collagenous
fibers; form branching networks (stroma). Fill
spaces between tissues and organs.

GROUND SUBSTANCE
Interstitial (tissue) fluid within which are one or
more of the molecules listed below:
Hyaluronic acid: a polysaccharide. Very slippery;
serves as a good lubricant for joints. Common in
most connective tissues.
Proteoglycans: protein and polysaccharide
complex. Polysaccharides called
glyocosaminoglycans (chondroitin sulfate, keratin
sulfate). Protein part attaches to hyaluronic acid.
Able to trap large amounts of water.
Adhesive molecules: hold proteoglycan aggregates
together. Chondronectin in cartilage, osteonectin
in bone, fibronectin in fibrous connective tissue.
Functions as a molecular sieve through which
nutrients diffuse between blood capillaries and cells

EMBRYONIC CONNECTIVE
TISSUE

Mesenchyme: is the embryonic tissue

from which connective tissues, as well
as other tissue arise.
The mesenchymal cells are irregular
shaped. The extracellular matrix is
abundant and contains scattered
reticular fibers.
Mucus: is mesenchymal tissue that
remains unspecialized. The cells and
extracellular matrix is similar as the
mesenchymal tissue.

AREOLAR CONNECTIVE
TISSUE
Description: Gel-like
matrix with three fiber
types; cells: fibroblast,
macrophage, mast
cells, and some other
WBC.
Function: Wrap and
cushions organs;
phagocytize bacteria;
role in inflammation;
hold and convey tissue
fluid.
Location: Widely

Figure 4.12b

ADIPOSE TISSUE
Description: Matrix
as in areolar but very
sparse; closely
packed adipocytes or
fat cells, have
nucleus pushed to
the side by large fat
droplet.
Function: Provides
reserve food fuel;
Insulates against
heat loss; support
and protective

Figure 4.12c

RETICULAR CONNECTIVE
TISSUE
Description:
Network of reticular
filters in a typical
ground substance;
reticular cells line on
the network.
Function: Fiber form
a soft internal
skeleton (stroma)
that supports other
cell types including
white blood cells,
mast cells, and

DENSE IRREGULAR
CONNECTIVE
TISSUE
Description:
Primarily Irregular
arranged fibers;
some elastic fibers;
major cell type is the
fibroblast.
Function: Able to
withstand tension
exerted in many
directions; provides
structural strength
Figure 4.12e

DENSE REGULAR
CONNECTIVE TISSUE
Description:
Primarily parallel
collagen; a few
elastin fibers; major
cell type is the
fibroblast.
Function: Attaches
muscles to bones of
to muscles; attached
bones to bones;
withstand great

Figure 4.12f

ELASTIC CONNECTIVE TISSUE

Bundles and sheets of collagenous and elastic fibers

oriented in multiple directions
In walls of elastic arteries (aorta), lungs, vocal
ligaments
Strong, yet elastic; allows for recoil of tissue after
being stretched

CONNECTIVE TISSUE:
CARTILAGE
Composed
of chondrocytes (cells) located in matrixsurrounded spaces called lacunae.

Type of cartilage determined by components of the matrix.

Firm consistency.
Ground substance: Proteoglycans and hyaluronic acid
complexes together trap large amounts of water
(microscopic sponges). Allows tissue to spring back after
being compressed.
Avascular and no nerve supply. Heals slowly.
Perichondrium. Dense irregular connective tissue that
surrounds cartilage. Fibroblasts of perichondrium can
differentiate into chondroblasts (cartilage-forming cells)
Types of cartilage
Hyaline
Fibrocartilage
Elastic

Perichondrium

Aposition
growth

HYALINE CARTILAGE
Description:
Amorphous but firm
matrix; fibers form an
imperceptible
network;
chondroblasts produce
the matrix and when
mature (chondrocytes)
lie in lacunae
Function: Supports
and reinforce; has
resilient cushion
properties; resist
compressive stress.

Figure 4.12g

ELASTIC CARTILAGE
Description: Similar
to hyaline cartilage,
but more elastic
fibers in matrix.
Function: Maintains
the shape of a
structure while
allowing great
flexibility
Location: Supports
the external ear

Figure 4.12h

FIBROCARTILAGE

Description: Matrix
similar to but less
firm than in hyaline
cartilage; thick
collagen
predominate.
Function: Tensile
strength with the
ability to absorb
compressive shock.

Figure 4.12i

Thanks for your

attention
&
Good Luck!