Histology

- science that deals

with the study of
different tissues

Tissue
- group of similar
cells that perform a
definite function

the three primary

germ layers gave rise
to the different tissues
Types of Tissues
1.Epithelial tissue
- covers body surfaces and lines hollow organs, body cavities and
ducts
2. Connective tissue
- binds organs together
3. Muscle tissue
- generates physical force needed to make the body structure
move
4. Nervous tissue
- reception of stimuli and conduction of impulses that coordinate
body activities
 Epithelial Tissue

General Features
- cells are arranged in continous sheet
- cells are compactly arranged in one
or more layers
- single layer or multiple layers
- basement layer
simple epithelium - cells are
attached to the basement membrane
stratified epithelium – only basal
cells are attached
- avascular
- exchange of material between
epithelium and connective tissue is
by diffusion
 2 Types of Epithelial Tissue:

1. Covering and Lining Epithelium

- forms the outer covering of the skin
- forms the inner lining of blood vessels, ducts, body
cavities and interior of respiratory, digestive, urinary
and reproductive systems
- classified according to two characteristics
A. arrangement of cells into layers
B. shape of the cell
2. Glandular Epithelium
- constitutes the secreting portion of glands
ex. sweat glands
Composition:
1. Cells columnar - secretion and absorption
cuboidal - secretion and aborption
squamous - allows rapid movement of substances
transitional

2. Intercellular material
- very scanty
- cementing substances

Location:
- outer and inner body surfaces
- lines walls of hollow organs, glands and tubular structures that
communicate with body surface
I. Covering and Lining Epithelia
A. Simple Epithelia:
Simple Squamous Epithelium

Description:
- single layer of flat cells, nucleus centrally located
Location:
- mucous membrane
- lines the heart, capillary walls, alveoli of the lungs, covering visceral organs,
lining body cavities
Function: diffusion and filtration
 Simple cuboidal epithelium

Description:
- single layer of cube-shaped cells
- nucleus is centrally located
Location:
- lining kidney tubules, salivary ducts, pancreatic ducts

Functions:
- secretion, excretion, and absorption
Simple cuboidal epithelium

• cuboidal cells
(A) are as wide
as they are tall
nuclei (B) are
easily observed.

Cross section of kidney tubules

cross section of kidney tubules

 Simple Columnar Epithelium (nonciliated)

Description:
- single layer of nonciliated cells
- nuclei near the base of the cell
Location:
- lines the gut from the stomach to the anus
Function:
- protection, secretion and absorption
Simple columnar epithelium

• Cells (A) are

taller than wide

• nuclei (B) located

at the base of the
cells.

• cell membranes
(C) are very thin
but easily
identified.

cross section of small intestine

Goblet cells - epithelial cells whose
sole function is to secrete mucus
 Simple columnar epithelium (ciliated)

Description:
- Single layer of ciliated rectangular cells
- Nuclei located near the base
- Goblet cells
Location:
- lines most of the digestive organs, upper respiratory tract,
Fallopian tubes, uterus
Function:
- moves mucus and other substances by ciliary action
 Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium

Description:
- not a true stratified tissue
- nuclei of the cells are at different levels
- all the cells attached to the basement membrane
Location:
- Lining of nasal cavity, nasal sinuses, auditory tubes, pharynx, trachea and bronchi
of the lungs “respiratory epithelium”
Function:
- secretes mucus and move the mucus and the debris that accumulates in it over the
surfaces of the respiratory passages and toward the exterior of the body.
• columnar cells all
begin at the
basement
membrane; only a
few reach the
surface.

• nuclei appear at
various levels
giving the tissue a
stratified
appearance.

• cilia are easily seen

B. Stratified Epithelium
- two or more layers of cells
- more durable and gives better protection to underlying
tissues
- name of specific kind of stratified epithelium depends on
the shape of the cells in the apical layer
 Stratified squamous epithelium

Description:
- composed of cells with varying forms
- deep layer or basal layer – cuboidal to columnar in shape
- Apical layer – squamous in shape
Location: Function:
keratinized - protection against abrasion
- superficial layer of skin - barrier against infection
nonkeratinized - prevent water loss
- lines wet surfaces ( lining of the mouth, esophagus, epiglottis and covers
the tongue)
Stratified squamous epithelium
 Stratified cuboidal epithelium

Description:
- made up of two or more layers
- apical layer are cube-shaped
Location:
- ducts of adult sweat gland and part of male urethra
Function:
- protection, limited to secretion and absorption
 Stratified columnar epithelium

Description
Basal layer – consists of small, irregulary,polyhedral cells
Apical layer – tall, columnar cells
Location:
- pharynx, epiglottis, small areas in anal mucous membrane, part of the
conjunctiva of the eye
Function:
- protection and secretion
 Transitional epithelium

Description:
- appearrance is variable (transitional)
unstretched – consists of 5 or more layers of cuboidal or columnar cells
stretched – cells change to low cuboidal or squamous shape
Location:
- found lining cavities that can expand (urinary bladder)
Function:
- accomodates fluactuations in the volume of fluid in an organ or tube
 Quiz!! E

Can You Identify the

Classes of Epithelium?
D

A B

C
What type of epithelium is located at the tip of the arrow?
• What type of epithelium is shown in this
image?
II. Glandular epithelium:
- consists single or group of cells that secrete
substances
a. into a surface (covering and lining epithelium)
b. into the blood
- Classified as:
a. exocrine gland
- secretions flow by way of tubelike duct
and empty into the surface of a covering
or lining epithelium
- exocrine secretions reach the skin surface
or the lumen of a hollow organ
ex. sudoriferous, mammary gland
mucous glands, sebaceous glands
b. endocrine gland
- secretes their products into the bloodstream
without flowing through a duct
- hormones
ex. thyroid, pituitary
mouth

Neck

body