Inner Surfaces

An Exercise in Functional
Histology
2024

Dr. Hayat
 Learning Objectives (LO)
By the end of this lecture you should be able to:
1. Describe the structural relationships between the
epithelia and closely associated tissues (glands,
underlying connective tissue (lamina propria “and
muscularis mucosae”) comprising gastrointestinal,
urinary, and respiratory mucosae.
2. Discuss, “for the gastrointestinal, urinary, and
respiratory mucosae” how the structure of their
constituent tissues is related to their function.
(LO1)

The Respiratory System

Function of the respiratory system
1. Replinish blood oxygen levels which is needed for
tissue metabolism.
2. Remove the carbon dioxide from the blood which
produced as a by product of metabolic activity.
3. Assist the body in maintaining a near constant PH.
(LO1)
(LO1) The Respiratory System
consist of
1.Conducting portion,
consists of the nasal
cavities, nasopharynx,
larynx, trachea, bronchi
bronchioles, and terminal
bronchioles

2.Respiratory portion
(where gas exchange takes
place), consisting of
respiratory bronchioles,
alveolar ducts, and alveoli.
(LO1)

(lamina propria )

Adventitia
Respiratory epithelium is pseudostratified ciliated columnar
epithelium with Goblet cells . Composed of 6 cell types:
1. Ciliated columnar cells (30%). cells are the most abundant , with
hundreds of long robust cilia(C)on each of their bulging apical ends
which provide a lush cover of cilia on the luminal surface.
2. Goblet cells (30%), Mucus-secreting goblet cells (G)
3.Brush cells (a much less columnar cells with microvilli) (3%),have features of
chemosensory receptors but their physiological significance is highly uncertain.
4. Basal cells (30%). Most of the small rounded cells at the basement
membrane are stem cells & progenitor cells that give rise to other cell type.
5. Small granule cells , DNES (3-4%). 6. Serous cells (3%).
Intraepithelial
lymphocytes &
dendritic cells are
also present
in respiratory
epithelium.
(LO2) conducting portion (trachea)
Respiratory epithelium
ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium with goblet cells

G =goblet cell . C=cilia .BM=basal lamina .V= vein

(LO2) M=mucosa S=submucosa
TRACHEA F=fibrocartilagenous
1. Many blood vessels in the
M lamina propria just under the
epithlium for warming the air
S 2. Numerous seromucous glands
F in the submucosa, produce watery
mucus with the goblet cells
secretion forms a layer that
permits the ciliary movement to
propel foreign particles
3. 16–20 C-shaped rings of hyaline
cartilage keep the tracheal lumen
open
4. Lymphoid system cells just
under the epithelium destroy
Bacteria
(LO2)

Function of conducting portion

1.Dry air: moisten it by
goblet cells and mucous.
2. Particles: trap them hairs, and smooth muscle
goblet cells and mucous.
3.Particles:remove them
cilia.
4.Cold air: warm it blood
vessels near epithelium.
5.Bacteria:destroy them
lymphoid cells under the
epithelium
A combination of cartilage,
elastic and collagen fibers,
provides the conducting
portion with rigid
structural support and the
necessary flexibility and
extensibility. To ensure an
uninterrupted supply of air
 (LO1)
Respiratory portion
Alveoli
1.Alveoli are saclike evaginations
(about 200 µm in diameter) of the
respiratory bronchioles, alveolar
ducts, and alveolar sacs.
2.Structurally, alveoli resemble small
pockets that are open on one side.
The structure of alveolar walls is
specialized to enhance diffusion
between the external and internal
environments.
3.Interalveolar septum is wall lies
between two neighboring alveoli.
These septa is vascularized with the
richest capillary network in the
body.
(LO2)
The cells of alveoli related to function
1.Type I alveolar cells (or type I pneumocytes) are
extremely attenuated cells that line the alveolar
surfaces. Type I cells cover 97% of the alveolar surface .
The main role of these cells is to provide a barrier of
minimal thickness that is readily permeable to gases.
2.Type II alveolar cells (Septal cells) are rounded cells
that often occur at points where the alveolar walls
unite. give rise to the pulmonary surfactant that lowers
surface tension.
3.Alveolar macrophages .They phagocytose erythrocytes
lost from damaged capillaries and air-borne particulate
matter that has entered alveoli.
 (LO1)
The Digestive Tract
It is a hollow tube with
a lumen of variable
diameter and a wall
made up of four main
layers:
the mucosa,
submucosa,
muscularis externa
, and
serosa.

( or Visceral peritoneum)
 (LO2)
Function of digestive Tract
The mucosa
1.The epithelial lining
a. Provide a selectively permeable barrier between the contents of
the tract and the tissues of the body,
b. Facilitate the transport and digestion of food,
c. Promote the absorption of the products of this digestion,
d. Produce hormones that affect the activity of the digestive system,
e. Produce mucus for lubrication and protection.
2.The lamina propria
a zone rich in macrophages and lymphocytes, some of which actively
produce antibodies.
3.The muscularis mucosae
allows local movements of the mucosa independent of other
movements of the digestive tract.
 (LO2)
The submucosa
Contains connective tissue with many blood and lymph vessels and
the submucosal plexus of autonomic nerves
The muscularis Externa
Is composed of smooth muscle cells of two sublayers. In the internal
circular; the external longitudinal. In the connective tissue between
the muscle sublayers are blood and lymph vessels, as well as another
autonomic myenteric nerve plexus. autonomic neurons
functioning independently of the central nervous system
The serosa ( or visceral peritoneum)
Is a thin layer of loose connective tissue, rich in blood vessels,
lymphatics, and adipose tissue which support the intestines and
covered by mesothelium .
 (LO1)
Esophagus
is a muscular tube
whose function is to
transport food from
the mouth to the
stomach. It is lined by
nonkeratinized
stratified
E
squamous
epithelium with
stem cells scattered
L throughout the basal
layer

E= nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium .L=Lamina propria

(LO2)
In the submucosa are
groups of small
mucus-secreting
glands, the
esophageal
esophageal
glands glands, secretions
of which facilitate
the transport of
foodstuffs and
protect the mucosa
(LO1)
(LO1)

Type
of
1
cells
2

6
The mucosa of the stomach consists of a simple
columnar epithelium which invaginates forming
gastric pits and glands .Emptying into the gastric
pits are branched, tubular glands“gastric glands”
(LO2)The epithelium covering the surface and lining the pits is a simple
columnar epithelium, the cells of which produce a protective mucus layer
In the fundus and body, the function of
gastric glands are.
1.Stem cells, give rise to all epithelial cells
of the glands
2.Mucous neck cells produce mucus (less
alkaline than that of the surface epithelial
mucous cells) that protects the epithelium
against shear stress, enzymes and acid.
3.Parietal cells produce HCl hydrochloric
acid, Ghrelin and intrinsic factor, which
is needed for absorption of vitamin B12
in the terminal ileum. Ca ++ absorption.
4.Chief (zymogenic) cells secrete
pepsinogen,& gastric lipase
5.Various enteroendocrine cells, in the
bases of the glands secrete serotonin,
G cells secrete gastrin, D cells secrete
Somatostatin, EnteroChromaffin Like cells
secrete Histamine and other hormones.
(LO1)
(LO1)

villi

Villi are covered by a simple columnar epithelium of

1.Absorptive cells (enterocytes),
2.Goblet cells (G).
3.Paneth cells, are exocrine cells release lysozyme ,located
in the basal portion of the intestinal crypts
4.Stem cells and
5.Enteroendocrine cells .
(LO1)

three distinct bundles of muscle fibers

suspended masses of adipose tissue

(LO2)

1.The absorptive cells or colonocytes absorption of water

2.Goblet cells production of mucus that lubricates the
intestinal mucosal surface
3.Stem cells to renew epithelium
(LO1)
The Urinary System
The urinary system consists of the paired
kidneys and ureters, the bladder, and the
urethra. This system helps maintain
homeostasis by a complex combination of
processes that involves the following:
1. Filtration of cellular wastes from blood
2. Selective reabsorption of water and solutes
3. Excretion of the wastes and excess water as
urine.
(LO1)
 (LO)

Umbrella cells

The urothelium ( transitional epithelium) is composed of the

following three layers:
1.A single layer of small basal cells resting on a very thin
basement membrane,
2.An intermediate region containing from one to several
layers of more columnar cells,
3.A superficial layer of very large, polyhedral or bulbous
cells called umbrella cells which are occasionally bi- or
multinucleated and are highly differentiated to protect
underlying cells against the cytotoxic effects of hypertonic
urine
Any Question ?