1.

Epithelial tissue
2. Connective tissue
3. Muscular tissue
4. Nervous tissue
 Epithelium originates from all germinal layers of
the embryo( ectoderm, endoderm and
mesoderm)
 Epithelium is composed of tightly packed cells
with little amount of intercellular substance.
 Cells exhibit polarity has apical (free)apex,
basal (rests on a basement membrane that
separates it from the underlying connective
tissue) and lateral surfaces (cell junctions.
 Epithelium lacks blood vessels(Avascular) or
lymph vessels, but it is penetrated by nerves
 Epithelium is highly regenerative
1. Surface Epithelium: covering &lining
A. Simple Epithelium
B. Stratified Epithelium
1. Glandular Epithelium: has secretory
activity
2. Neuro-Epithelium: receiving sensory
stimuli act as receptors
3. Myo-Epithelium: has contractile ability
 According to
1- Number of cell layers
- Simple= one layer
Stratified= two or more layers
2- Cell shape
Squamous: Thin-Flat
Cuboidal: Cube-shaped
Columnar: Tall- Elongated
Simple Columnar Epithelium
Shape: It is formed of single layer of of tall
columnar cells with basal oval nuclei
Some have microvilli or goblet cells
Functions& Sites:
secretion, absorption& protection
Non-Ciliated type Ciliated type

1. Stomach(secretion) The free borders of the

2. Small& large cells are provided with
intestine (secretion, cilia that move fluid over
absorption epithelial surface in one
3. Common bile duct, direction
gall bladder 1. Lower respiratory
system (move
secretion)
2. Female
reproductive
system(uterus&Fall
opian Tube(move
oocyte)
Pseudostratified Columnar
Epithelium
It is a simple type of epithelium
formed of one layer of crowded
columnar cells resting on a BM but
some cannot reach the surface
Their nuclei are arranged at different
levels forming false stratified
appearance rows
Non-Ciliated Ciliated with Ciliated with
motile cilia non-motile
cilia(stereocilia)

Male Upper Epididymis

reproductive respiratory
system e.g. tract
vas deferens
2. Stratified Epithelium:
- It is formed of more than one layer.
- It is formed of a basal row of columnar
or high cuboidal resting on the BM
followed by a layers of polyhedral cells
according to the shape of the top layer it is
classified into:
1. Stratified squamous epithelium
2. Stratified columnar epithelium
3. Transitional epithelium.
 1. Stratified squamous epithelium:
formed from multiple layers of cells(5-30) resting
on clear and wavy BM
Basal cell layer: is columnar cells with basal
oval nuclei
Intermediate layer: is formed of polyhedral
cells with central rounded nuclei
Superficial layer: is formed of flat cells with
central flat nuclei
Functions& Sites:
protection
Non-keratinizing type keratinizing type

In wet surfaces (mucous In dry surfaces

membrane) oral cavity, (epidermis of the skin)
esophagus, cornea, its superficial cells are
vagina& anal canal changed into a tough,
non-living layer of
keratin tightly
attached to the
underlying living cells.
Its appearance in an empty organ greatly varies from
that in a full (distended) organ.
it is formed of 6-8 layers in empty bladder and 2-3 in
full bladder
BM is indistinct (not clear) & straight
- Basal cell layer: is row of low columnar or high
cubical cells with rounded nuclei
- Intermediate layer: of polyhedral with central
rounded nuclei cells have mucous - intercellular
substance allowing sliding of the cells.
 Superficial layer: is formed of dome shaped
(convex) surface with central rounded nuclei
may be binucleated they are attached to each
other by tight junctions.
Site& functions
- this epithelium is highly stretching (protection)
- present in the urinary tract. Pelvis of the
ureter, the ureter and the urinary bladder
2) Its appearance in a full, distended organ:
- The basal cells become shorter.
- The polygonal cells become arranged in about 2-3
layers due to the gliding of the cells.
- The superficial cells become flattened.
1- It is similar in its structure to
stratified squamous epithelium but
few number of layers
2- The superficial cell are columnar
3- may be ciliated cells or non ciliated.
Ciliated type Non-ciliated type

Foetal oesophagus. large duct of

(transitory) glands & male urethra (penile part)