Epithelial Tissue

Contextual Research Work Group I

An Introduction to the Epithelial Tissue

INTRODUCTION

EPITHELIAL TISSUE
Plant
Tissues Animal

Connective Nervous

Muscle
Epithelium

The Epithelial Tissue

The Epithelial Tissue, also called the epithelium, is located in the lining and covering of many organs, as well as on the surface of the skin

Structure
The cells are closely packed and are without intercellular spaces. The lowermost layer of the cells rest on a noncellular basement composed of collagenous fibres.

Structure
The free surface of cells may be modified into cilia and microvilli. Epithelial tissues could be simple i.e. made up of a single layer of cells or compound i.e. made of many layers of cells. Any epithelia can b ciliated if cilia are present on its surface.

Location
Epithelial Tissues form a continuous layer all over the external surface of the body. It lines the inside of all cavities such as those of stomach, intestine, throat etc. The skin, surface layers of mouth, alimentary canal and lungs are made of epithelial tissues

Functions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Protection Exchange of Materials Absorption Elimination of Waste Products Secretion Sensory

Features

Features of the Epithelial Tissue are explained through this graphic

Lets study the types of epithelia in detail

TYPES OF EPITHELIA

TYPES
Simple

Squamous

Cuboidal
Columnar Epithelium Unicellular Glandular Multicellular Compound Stratified

SIMPLE SQUAMOUS
Structure
Thin flattened cells

Function
Diffusion of materials

Location
Form lining of

with a centrally-placed nucleus

Irregular-shaped cells Cells are compactly

or exchange of gases.
Protection from

mouth, oesophagus and lungs

Inner lining of blood

arranged

chemical & mechanical injury, entry of germs or from drying

vessels
Cover the skin

surfaces

SIMPLE SQUAMOUS

SIMPLE CUBOIDAL
Structure
Cube-like cells with a

Function
Secretion Excretion

Location
Parts of nephron Lining of salivary,

central, spherical nucleus

Appear hexagonal in

Absorption

pancreatic and sweat ducts

surface view

SIMPLE CUBOIDAL

SIMPLE COLUMNAR
Structure
Tall, pillar or column-

Function
Secretion and/or

Location
Lining of stomach,

like cells with nucleus at the base

Generally, have

absorption
Mucus lubricates the

intestine and gall bladder

passage

mucus cells in between

SIMPLE COLUMNAR

SIMPLE GRANDULAR
Structure
Cuboidal and

Function
Secrete enzymes,

Location
Salivary, gastric,

columnar epithelia are modified into glands

mucus or hormones

intestinal and sweat glands

Adrenal and thyroid

glands

SIMPLE GRANDULAR

COMPOUND STRATIFIED
Structure
Epithelial cells are

Function
Prevent wear and

Location
Skin Outer covering of

arranged one above another in many layers

tear
Protect organs

delicate organs

COMPOUND STRATIFIED

Lets Revise
Worksheet Maximum Points: 8 Maximum Time given: 5 minutes

Arish Mudra Rakshasa Chitransh Pandey Disha Dahiya Ankita Kapoor Suryansh Tomar Rishabh Jain