TYPES OF TISSUES

Nervous
Epithelial
Muscular
Connective
EPITHELIUM OR EPITHELIAL TISSUE

Consists of sheets of closely aggregated

polyhedral cells w/ little EC substance
functions
Covering, lining, and protecting surfaces
(epidermis)
Absorption (intestines
Secretion (intestine and various glands)
Excretion (kidney tubules)
Contractility (myoepithelial cells)
EPITHELIUM
Cells rest on a basement membrane
thin non-cellular region that separates the epithelium
from the underlying connective tissue
Basement membrane can be seen with a light
microscope
BASAL LAMINA OR BASEMENT MEMBRANE
Principal components
type IV collagen, laminin and proteoglycans
(Nidogens & perlecan)
Its Primary function is
to support the epithelium
also serve as a passive molecular sieve or ultrafilter
GERM CELL ORIGIN

Ectoderm
Mesoderm
Endoderm
ORIGIN OF EPITHELIUM
Ectoderm: gives rise to the
Corneal epithelium
Epidermis of the skin
Glandular appendages of the skin
 sweat, sebaceous and mammary glands
ORIGIN OF EPITHELIUM
Endoderm
Intestinal glands
Liver
Pancreas
ORIGIN OF EPITHELIUM
Mesoderm
Urinary tract
Male and female reproductive tracts
Cells lining the blood and lymph vessels
(endothelium)
Cells lining the cavities (mesothelium)
CLASSIFICATION OF EPITHELIA
Based on the number of layers, the shape of the
cells, specializations present on their free
surface
Simple: if made up of one layer
Stratified: if there are multiple layers
SIMPLE SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM

Alveoli
Bowman’s capsule
Endothelium
Mesothelium
SIMPLE SQUAMOUS: BOWMAN’S CAPSULE OF GLOMERULUS (KIDNEY)
SIMPLE CUBOIDAL EPITHELIUM

Thyroid follicles
Surface of ovary
Choroid plexus of brain
Pigment epithelium of
retina
Ducts of many glands
SIMPLE CUBOIDAL: THYROID FOLLICLE
SIMPLE COLUMNAR EPITHELIUM

Lines the digestive

tract from the
cardia of stomach
to the anus
Uterus
(endometrium)
and fallopian
tubes
SIMPLE COLUMNAR: INTESTINAL EPITHELIUM
PSEUDOSTRATIFIED COLUMNAR EPITHELIUM

Trachea and bronchi

Excretory ducts of
the parotid gland
Male urethra
PSEUDOSTRATIFIED COLUMNAR CILIATED: RESPIRATORY EPITHELIUM
STRATIFIED SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM

Skin
Oral cavity
Esophagus
Cornea
Vagina
STRATIFIED SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM

Keratinizing stratified squamous epithelium: skin

Nonkeratinizing stratified squamous epithelium:

oral cavity, vagina
KERATINIZING STRATIFIED SQUAMOUS
NONKERATINIZING STRATIFIED SQUAMOUS
TRANSITIONAL EPITHELIUM

Also known as
urothelium
Urinary tract from
the renal calyces
to the urethra
TRANSITIONAL: URINARY EPITHELIUM
JUNCTIONAL SPECIALIZATIONS
Zonula Occludens (ZO) or Tight Junction
Zonula adherens (ZA)
Desmosomes (D)
Gap Junctions (GJ)
 ZONULA OCCLUDENS (ZO) OR
TIGHT JUNCTION

• The most apical forming a continuous band

encircling the cell apex together with ZA
• Membranes of the adjoining cells fuse and close off
the intercellular space
• Cell attachment is strongest at the ZO than
elsewhere on the lateral boundaries
• Important function: permeability barrier
ZONULA ADHERENS (ZA) 0R ADHERENT JUNCTION

Band encircling the cell, found just below the ZO

Rich in actin
Responsible for cross-linking or binding of band to
junctional membrane
Also stabilize the brush border of columnar
epithelia
GAP JUNCTION OR COMMUNICATING JUNCTION

No actual fusion of membranes occur but minute

structures called connexons are seen bridging
the gap
Permits the passage of small molecules like ions
and amino acids between cells
Permeability of GJ is affected by pH and calcium
concentration
 DESMOSOMES OR MACULA ADHERENS
• Do not form continuous band encircling the cell apex
• Separate plaques arranged in a row around the cell
• Scattered on the lateral surfaces of the cell below
the ZA
SPECIALIZATIONS OF CELL SURFACE
• Striated border
• Stereocilia
• Kinocilia
• Flagella
 STRIATED BORDER OR BRUSH BORDER OR MICROVILLI

• Fine vertical striations on the free border of the

absorptive columnar epithelia
• Result in a 15 to 30-fold increase in the area of cell
membrane exposed to the lumen
• Each microvillus contains a bundle of actin
filaments
• Increase the digestive and absorptive efficiency of
the epithelium
STEREOCILIA

• A tuft of long, slender processes seen on L/M

on the surface of pseudostratified columnar
epithelium of the epididymis

• Resemble microvilli but are much longer and

are nonmotile
 KINOCILIA/CILIA

• Present on the free surface

of cells that are specialized
for transport of fluid or a film
of mucus over the surface of
the epithelium
• Exhibit to and fro oscillations
• Core complex called
axoneme consisting of
longitudinal microtubules
FLAGELLA
• Same internal structure as kinocilia but are
much longer

• Usually occur singly ( sperm cells) or in pairs

(protozoa)
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