Epithelia tissue
Ibrahim A.
Department of Anatomy
Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences
University of Ilorin
1
Lecture expectations
At the end of the lecture, students will be
able to:
1. Classify epithelia tissue based on number of
cells and shape
2. Mention the various location of epithelia tissues
in relation to functions
3. Differentiate morphologically the types of
epithelia tissue
4. State the functions and types of epithelia
glands
2-2
Tissue: 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)
Four 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
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Epithelia tissue: Characteristics
Epi = “on” or “around”: Thele = “nipple”
free surface open to the outside or an open internal space
basement membrane anchors epithelium to underlying connective tissue
lack blood vessels (but richly innervated)
readily divide (ex. skin healing)
tightly packed with little extracellular space
The shape is related to the amount of contained cytoplasm and organelles.
In turn related to metabolic activities
Some contain pigments. Present in skin, retina and iris
Epithelia in the secretory portions of glands show specializations of
structure that depend on the nature of secretion produced by them
Epithelia cells in which transport of ions is important function (e.g., renal
tubules) are marked by the presence of basolateral folds and presence of
large numbers of mitochondria.
2-4
Epithelial Tissues: Two types
Epithelia:
layers of cells covering internal or external
surfaces
Glands:
structures that produce secretions
2-5
Epithelial Classifications
Classified based on shape and number 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
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Epithelial Locations
cover body surfaces, cover and line
internal organs, compose glands, lines
cavities and tubules, and generally
marks off our insides from our outsides
skin cells, cells that line the stomach and
small intestine, inside of your mouth
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Functions of Epithelial Tissue
Provide physical protection
Control permeability
Move fluids over the surface
Provide sensation (e.g. neuroepithelia)
Produce specialized secretions
(glandular epithelium)
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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
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2-10
2-11
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
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2-13
2-14
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
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2-16
2-17
Pseudostratified columnar
epithelium
appear stratified because nuclei are at 2 or more
levels
NOT stratified because all cells touch
basement mem.
ciliated
goblet cells
protection, secretion, movement of mucus
Present in the male sperm-carrying ducts
(nonciliated) and trachea (ciliated)
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2-19
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Stratified squamous
epithelium
Many layers of flattened cells
Named based on appearance of top layer of
cells
Functions in protection of underlying areas
subjected to abrasion
Forms the external part of the skin’s epidermis
(keratinized cells), and linings of the esophagus,
mouth, and vagina (nonkeratinized cells)
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2-22
2-23
Stratified cuboidal epithelium
Quite rare in the body
Typically two cell layers thick
Only top layer is cuboidal
protection
linings of larger ducts of mammary
glands, sweat glands, salivary glands,
and pancreas
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2-25
2-26
Stratified columnar epithelium
Limited distribution in the body
Found in the pharynx, male urethra,
and lining some glandular ducts
Also occurs at transition areas between
two other types of epithelia
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2-28
2-29
Transitional epithelium
Several cell layers, basal cells are
cuboidal, surface cells are dome shaped
(or flat)
Stretches to permit the distension of
the urinary bladder
Lines the urinary bladder, ureters, and
part of the urethra
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2-31
2-32
Glandular epithelium
A gland is one or more cells that makes and
secretes an aqueous fluid into ducts or into
body fluids
Gland = 1 or more cuboidal or columnar cell
Classified by:
Relative number of cells forming the gland:
unicellular or multicellular
Site of product release: endocrine or exocrine
Exocrine gland are also classified based on mode of
secretion: Merocrine, Apocrine and Holocrine
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Exocrine vs. Endocrine
Endocrine
Secrete substances into tissue fluid or blood
Ductless glands that produce hormones
Secretions include amino acids, proteins, glycoproteins, and
steroids
Exocrine
More numerous than endocrine glands
Secrete their products onto body surfaces (skin) or into body
cavities via ducts
Examples include mucous, sweat, oil, digestive, and salivary
glands
The only important unicellular gland is the goblet cell
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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
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Activities
Given the previous examples
(consider the morphology only)
Can you name?
First, the tissue type
Second, where in the body the tissue is
found
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What kind of tissue does this represent?
Where in the body would you find this tissue?
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What kind of tissue does this represent?
Where in the body would you find this tissue?
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What kind of tissue does this represent?
Where in the body would you find this tissue?
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What kind of tissue does this represent?
Where in the body would you find this tissue?
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What kind of tissue does this represent?
Where in the body would you find this tissue?
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What kind of tissue does this represent?
Where in the body would you find this tissue?
2-43
What kind of tissue does this represent?
Where in the body would you find this tissue?
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What kind of tissue does this represent?
Where in the body would you find this tissue?
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What kind of tissue does this represent?
Where in the body would you find this tissue?
2-46
What kind of tissue does this represent?
Where in the body would you find this tissue?
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QUESTIONS?
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