HUMAN HISTOLOGY (LECTURE)

LESSON 2: EPITHELIAL TISSUE

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2 SEMESTER I S.Y. 2021-2022
TRANCRIBED BY: JEAN HERSHEY REYES

OUTLINE  The nuclei of the epithelial cells are often flattened or ovoid, i.e.
egg-shaped, and they are located close to the centre of the
I. Epithelial Tissue IV. Specializations of the cells.
II. Function of E. Tissue Apical Surface  The base found cuboidal and columnar
III. Classification of E. Tissue V. Specializations of the
lateral and basal surfaces

Epithelial Tissue

 Consisting of closely apposed cells without intervening

intercellular substances to form tissues.
 Cells are closed to each other
 Epithelia are avascular (no supply of blood), but all epithelia
"grow" on an underlying layer of vascular connective tissue.
 The connective tissue and the epithelium are separated by a
basement membrane. Simple Cuboidal Epithelium
 Epithelium covers all free surfaces of the body. Epithelium also
lines the large internal body cavities, where it is termed  Cells appear cuboidal in sections perpendicular to the surface of
mesothelium (simple squamous) the epithelium.
 Basal lamina- layer where basal cells rest; thin; structural support  Nuclei are round and centrally located.
 Lamina Fibroreticularis- rest on another layer with reticular fiber  Simple cuboidal epithelium occurs in the small excretory ducts of
 Furthermore, the internal surfaces of blood and lymph vessels many glands, the tubules of the kidney and on the surface of the
are lined by epithelium, here called endothelium (simple ovaries.
squamous)
 Basic Tissue: Epithelial, Connective, Muscle and Nerve

Functions of Epithelial Tissue

Function
Protection Skin protects from sunlight & bacteria &
physical damage.

Absorption Lining of small intestine, absorbing

nutrients into blood Simple Columnar Epithelium
Filtration Lining of Kidney tubules filtering wastes
 The cells forming a simple columnar epithelium are taller than
from blood plasma
they are wide.
 The nuclei of cells within the epithelium are usually located at the
Secretion Different glands produce perspiration, oil,
same height within the cells - often close to the base of the cells
digestive enzymes and mucus
and are oval. An example is the simple columnar epithelium which
lines the internal surface of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) from
Classification of Epithelial Tissue the cardiac of the stomach to the rectum.
 Ciliated simple columnar epithelium lines the bronchi, uterus
 Epithelia are classified on the basis of the number of cell layers and oviducts.
and the shape of the cells in the surface layer.  Cilia are specialized for transport of fluid or mucus.
 If there is only one layer of cells in the epithelium, it is designated  Arrangement of nuclei is clear
simple.
 If there are two or more layers of cells, it is termed stratified.
 Cells in the surface layer are, as a rule, described according to
their height as squamous (scale- or plate-like), cuboidal or
columnar.

Simple Epithelia

Simple Squamous Epithelium

 This type is composed of a single layer of flattened, scale- or Epithelial Tissue

plate-like cells. It is quite common in the body.
 Present in sites of Exchange as Nephrons & Lungs.

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  Next Layer is of cells with polyhedral outlines. Close to the
Identifying Epithelia surface of the epithelium, cells become more flattened. At the
surface of the epithelium, cells appear like flat scales - similar to
 The outlines of individual epithelial cells are not always the epithelial cells of simple squamous epithelia.
visible, and it may be difficult to identify the shape of the cells.

 It is often helpful to look at the shape, location and spacing of

the nuclei in the epithelium, which together will allow a very
good guess at the shape of the cells forming the epithelium.

Stratified Cuboidal and Columnar Epithelium

 A two-layered cuboidal epithelium is, for example, seen in the

ducts of the sweat glands and major salivary glands.
 Stratified columnar epithelia are found in the excretory ducts of
the mammary gland.

Simple Squamous Epithelium

 Blood vessels are probably

present in all sections you will
ever see.
 They are lined by a simple
squamous epithelium. The
individual epithelial cells are
extremely flattened and form a
much larger part of the surface
than individual cells in cuboidal Stratified Squamous Epithelium
or columnar epithelia. The nuclei
of the squamous epithelial cells  Present in areas subjected to Friction & External Environments as
are also flattened. Skin, Esophagus & Vagina.
 Basal cells often form a well-defined layer at the border of the
epithelium to the underlying connective tissue.

Transitional Epithelium
Simple Columnar Epithelium
 Transitional epithelium is
 The small intestines are lined by found exclusively in the
a simple columnar epithelium. excretory urinary passages
 Most of the epithelial cells (the renal calyces and pelvis,
(enterocytes) are involved in the the ureter, the urinary bladder,
absorption of components of the and part of the urethra).
digested food in the lumen of
the intestines. o In the "relaxed"
 Complex folds of the intestinal state of the
lining increase the surface area epithelium, it seems
available for absorption. to be formed by
 Glycoproteins and glycolipids many cell layers.
projects from the surface of The most basal cells
microvilli. have a cuboidal or
columnar shape.
There are several
layers of polyhedral
Stratified Epithelia cells, and, finally, a layer of superficial cells, which have
a convex, dome-shaped luminal surface.
Stratified Squamous Epithelium o In the distended state of the epithelium only one or
two layers of cuboidal cells are followed by a
 Composed of several layers (2-20), vary in thickness depending superficial layer of large, low cuboidal or squamous
on the specific organ. cells. In the distended state the epithelium will resemble
 The deepest cells, which are in contact with the basement a stratified squamous epithelium.
membrane, are cuboidal or columnar in shape.

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 Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium membrane of the adjacent cells form a protein-
"zipper" linking the cells. Fibers of the cytoskeleton
 Composed of one Layer of Cells attach to the cytoplasmic side of the desmosome to
 All cells of this type of epithelium stabilize the area of contact.
are in contact with the
basement membrane, but not all II. Hemidesmosomes mediate the attachment of the epithelial
of them reach the surface of the cells to the basal lamina.
epithelium. o A group of glycoproteins (cadherins) inserted into
 The epithelium will look the opposing plasma membranes mediate cell-to-
stratified but it is not -hence its cell adhesion at desmosomes and also at the
name "pseudostratified". adhesion zones or patches mentioned below.
Integrins, another group of proteins, allow the cell
 Ciliated pseudostratified
to attach to the matrix proteins of the basement
columnar epithelia are found in
membrane.
the Respiratory System.
III. Basal infoldings of plasmalemma – increase absorbing
Specializations of the Apical Surface capacity. Ex. Renal tubule

 Microvilli and stereocilia are finger- or thread-shaped extensions

of the epithelial cells. Their main function is to increase the
surface area of epithelial cells. Specializations of the Lateral Surfaces
 They are typically found in epithelia active in absorption.
 Microvilli contain actin filaments, which are in contact with the  A zone of adhesion (zonula adherens)
terminal web of the cell. The only difference between microvilli o Structurally not as well-characterized as the
and stereocilia is their length. desmosomes. The zonula adherens typically
o Thinner; shorter; found at the apical center appears as a close and consistent apposition (15-
o Vertical line; brush and strated border 20 NM) of the cell membranes close to the apical
o Increase cell surface area cell surface and surrounding the entire cell. Again,
fibres of the cytoskeleton insert into the cytoplasmic
 Microvilli are much shorter than stereocilia. Stereocilia are, side of this membrane specialization.
despite their name ("cilia"), not actively moving structures.
 A tight junction (zonula occludens) between epithelial cells
Microvilli mediates this aspect of epithelial function.
o Proteins inserted into the cell membranes of
 EM of apical (top) surface of two epithelial cells whose cell adjacent cells "stitch" the membranes of the cells
membranes lie next to each other. The microvilli (1) of the striated together and provide an effective barrier to the
border are very straight and regimented in appearance. diffusion of substances from the outside of the
Microfilaments within them can be seen extending down into the epithelium (called luminal side if the epithelium
terminal web (2), which is an aggregate of fine filaments lying in covers the surface of a tubular structure).
the cell cytoplasm. Several junctional complexes are seen
including tight junction (zonula occludens =3); intermediate  Gap Junction (Communicating Junction )
junction (zonula adherens =4); and desmosome o Cells are closely apposed but not fused,
separated by intercellular space.
o Plasma membranes consist of tiny tubes known as
connexons.

Additional Information

Keratinized
 Dry epithelium
 Cells are covered with keratin filaments
 Anucleated

Non-Keratinized
 Wet epithelium (oral cavity and esophagus)
 Small amount of keratin
 Nucleated; identify individual cell

 Transitional
o Resist stretching forces
o Domed (umbrella cells)
o Cuboidal/Columnar
 Pseudostratified
o Made up of single cell; simple type of epithelium
Specializations of the Lateral and Basal Surfaces
Term Definition
 Components that is responsible for the structural integrity of Stereocilia Considered as microvilli; length
is as long as cilia (same function
Epithelial Tissue & hence organ’s Integrity.
as microvilli)
Examples: Desmosomes Wider gap
I. Desmosomes ex. Epidermis Hemidesmosomes Facilitate the attachment; found
o Specializations of the lateral cell membranes which in the stratum basila (basal
mediate cell adhesion. Proteins inserted into the cell surface)
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 Zonula Nearest at the apical surface;
cells are tightly use together
Adherens Small gap in between the cells;
filled with adhesion proteins
Gap Junction Widest gap
Connexons Exchange of substance; small
molecules or ions

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