Epithelial Tissues
Tissues Introduction
a group of similar cells specialized to
carry on a particular function
tissue = cells + extracellular matrix
nonliving portion of a tissue that supports
cells
4 types
epithelial = protection, secretion, absorption
connective = support soft body parts and
bind structures together
muscle = movement
nervous = conducts impulses used to help
control and coordinate body activities
Epithelial Tissues
Characteristics
free surface open to the outside
or an open internal space
basement membrane anchors
epithelium to underlying
connective tissue
lack blood vessels
readily divide (ex. skin healing)
tightly packed with little
extracellular space
Epithelial
Classifications
classified based on shape and #
of cell layers
shape
squamous = thin, flat cells
cuboidal = cube-shaped cells
columnar = tall, elongated cells
number
simple = single layer
stratified = 2 or more layers
Epithelial Locations
cover body surfaces, cover and
line internal organs, and compose
glands
skin cells, cells that line the stomach
and small intestine, inside of your
mouth
Simple squamous
epithelium
a single layer of thin, flattened cells
look like a fried egg
easily damaged
common at sites of filtration,
diffusion, osmosis; cover surfaces
air sacs of the lungs, walls of
capillaries, linings of blood and
lymph vessels
Simple cuboidal
epithelium
single layer of cube-shaped cells
centrally located nucleus
secretion and absorption
surface of ovaries, linings of
kidney tubules, and linings of
ducts of certain glands
Simple columnar
epithelium
single layer of cells that are longer
than they are wide
nucleus located near basement mem.
ciliated or nonciliated
some have microvilli
goblet cells = secrete mucus
absorption, secretion, protection
linings of the uterus, stomach, and
intestine
Pseudostratified
columnar epithelium
appear stratified b/c nuclei are at
2 or more levels
NOT stratified b/c all cells touch
basement mem.
ciliated
goblet cells
protection, secretion, movement
of mucus
linings of respiratory system
Stratified squamous
epithelium
many layers of flattened cells
named based on appearance of
top layer of cells
protection
outer layers of skin, linings of oral
cavity, throat, vagina, and anal
canal
Stratified cuboidal
epithelium
2 or 3 layers of cuboidal cells
protection
linings of larger ducts of
mammary glands, sweat glands,
salivary glands, and pancreas
Stratified columnar
epithelium
protection and secretion
vas deferens, part of the male
urethra, parts of the pharynx
(throat)
Transitional epithelium
can stretch
distensibility (stretching),
protection
inner lining of urinary bladder and
linings of the ureters and part of
urethra
Glandular epithelium
cells that are specialized to
produce and secrete substances
into ducts or into body fluids
gland = 1 or more cuboidal or
columnar cell
secretion
salivary glands, sweat glands,
endocrine glands
Exocrine vs. Endocrine
exocrine = secrete sub. into ducts
that open onto surfaces
skin or linings of digestive tract
endocrine = secrete sub. into
tissue fluid or blood
hormones
Exocrine glands
merocrine = release watery,
protein-rich fluid by exocytosis
salivary glands, sweat glands
apocrine = lose small portions of
their cell body during secretion
mammary glands, ear wax
holocrine = entire cell lysis
(breaks apart) during secretion
sebaceous glands of the skin
Serous vs. Mucous
serous = typically watery with
lots of enzymes
lubrication
mucous = mucus
digestive and respiratory systems
protection