THE EPITHELIUM

By: MAJ RIZWAN KIANI

 TISSUES
Tissues are groups of cells organized
to perform one or more specific
functions.
4 types of basic tissues
Epithelium
Connective tissue
Muscle tissue
Nerve tissue
EPITHELIAL TISSUE
 CONNECTIVE TISSUE
Cell Cell
nucleus
Collagen
fiber
Collagen
Other fibers
fibers
A. LOOSE CONNECTIVE TISSUE D. FIBROUS CONNECTIVE TISSUE
(under the skin) (forming a ligament)

Fat
droplets
Cells

Cell Matrix
nucleus

B. ADIPOSE TISSUE E. CARTILAGE

(at the end of a bone)
White blood
cells Central
canal
Red blood Matrix
cells
Cells
Plasma

C. BLOOD F. BONE
 MUSCULAR TISSUE

CARDIAC
MUSCLE

SKELETAL
MUSCLE

SMOOTH
MUSCLE
NERVOUS TISSUE

Nucleus

Cell body

Cell extensions
 EPITHELIUM
Epithelium is an avascular tissue.

Composed of cells that cover the exterior

body surfaces and line internal closed
cavities (including the vascular system) and
body tubes that communicate with the
exterior (the alimentary, respiratory, and
genitourinary tracts).
Definition:

An epithelium can be defined as

the collection of closely apposed
cells, with very small amount of
intercellular substance, usually
covering internal & external
surfaces of the body.
 Epithelium is found everywhere

Simple squamous
Epithelium lines
Stratified
alveoli in lungs.
squamous
Epithelium lines
the esophagus.

Simple cuboidal
Epithelium
Forms tubes in
kidneys.

Simple columnar
Epithelium lines the
intestine.
In addition, specialized epithelial cells
function as receptors for the special senses
(smell, taste, hearing, and vision).
Epithelium also forms the secretory portion
(parenchyma) of glands and their ducts.
Functions of epithelium
 How are epithelia classified?

Depends on number of layers

One layer Special 2 or more layers

SIMPLE PSEUDOSTRATIFIED

TRANSITIONAL STRATIFIED
The individual cells that compose an
epithelium
Squamous

Cuboidal

Columnar
Importance of layering
 Simple Squamous epithelium
Locations Major functions
Vascular system Exchange, barrier in
(endothelium) CNS
Body cavities Exchange &
(mesothelium) lubrication
Bowman’s capsule Barrier
(kidney)
Respiratory spaces in
lungs Exchange
Endothelium
Respiratory spaces
 Simple Cuboidal epithelium
Locations Major functions
Small ducts of Absorption, conduit
exocrine glands
Surface of ovary Barrier
(germinal
epithelium)
Kidney tubule Absorption &
secretion
Ducts of exocrine glands
Simple Cuboidal Epithelium 400X

Cells

Single layer of cube shaped cells; large nuclei

 Simple Columnar epithelium
Locations Major functions
Small intestine & Absorption &
colon secretion

Stomach lining & Secretion

gastric glands

Gallbladder Absorption
Simple Columnar Epithelium 400X

Single layer
columnar cells
nuclei in a line

Kidney collecting duct

Simple Columnar Epithelium 1000X

Single layer of cube shaped cells; large nucleus

Simple Columnar Epithelium 400X

Stomach lining
 Pseudostratified epithelium
Locations Major functions
Trachea & bronchial Secretion, conduit
tree
Ductus deferens

Efferent ductules of Absorption, conduit

epididymis
Stratified Squamous epithelium
Locations Major functions
Epidermis Barrier
Oral cavity & Protection
oesophagus
Vagina
Stratified Cuboidal epithelium
Locations Major functions
Sweat gland ducts Barrier
Large ducts of Conduit
exocrine glands
Anorectal junction
Growing follicles in
ovary
Stratified Cuboidal Epithelium 400X

2 layers of cuboidal cells

Stratified Columnar epithelium
Locations Major functions
Largest ducts of Barrier
exocrine glands Conduit
Anorectal junction
 Transitional epithelium
(Urothelium)
Locations Major functions
Renal calyces Barrier
Ureters Distensible property
Bladder
Urethra
Transitional epithelium
 Distended bladder

Empty bladder
 Epithelial Feature!
(name and location on cell)

3
Tight junction 1
1
2 Microvilli 2

Cilia 3

Basement
4
membrane
4
 GLANDS
Aggregation of glandular epithelium
into a definite structure for the purpose
of carrying on secretion or excretion is
known as gland.
EXOCRINE GLANDS
Exocrine glands secrete their products onto
a surface directly or through epithelial ducts
or tubes that are connected to a surface.
Ducts may convey the secreted material in
an unaltered form or may modify the
secretion by concentrating it or adding or
reabsorbing constituent substances.
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
Endocrine glands lack a duct system.
They secrete their products into the
connective tissue, where they enter the
blood stream to reach their target cells.

The products of endocrine glands are

called hormones.
 CLASSIFICATION OF
EXOCRINE GLANDS
Number of cells
Mechanism of secretion
Type of secretion produced
Type of duct system and
secretory unit
CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING
TO NUMBER OF CELLS
CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING
TO MECHANISM OF SECRETION
 MEROCRINE
Salivary glands
Lacrimal glands
Intestinal glands
 APOCRINE
Sweat glands in axilla & perianal area
Ceruminous glands of the external
auditory meatus
 HOLOCRINE
Sebaceous glands of the skin
 CYTOGENIC
Ovary

Testis
 CLASSIFICATION
ACCORDING TO TYPE OF
SECRETION PRODUCED
 MUCOUS
Viscous, slimy
secretion
Goblet cells
Secretory cells of
the sublingual
salivary glands
Surface cells of the
stomach
 SEROUS
Thin, watery
secretion
Parotid gland
 MIXED
Producing both
types of
secretions
Submandibular
glands
Sublingual gland
CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING
TO TYPE OF DUCT SYSTEM
CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING
TO THE SHAPE OF SECRETION
PORTION
 SIMPLE COMPOUND
Tubular Tubular
Straight
Coiled Tubuloalveolar
Branched
Tubuloalveolar Alveolar
Alveolar
Straight
Branched
SIMPLE TUBULAR GLANDS
 SIMPLE STRAIGHT
TUBULAR GLANDS
Large intestine: glands of the colon
SIMPLE COILED TUBULAR
GLANDS
Skin: eccrine
sweat gland
 SIMPLE BRANCHED
TUBULAR GLANDS

Stomach: mucus-
secreting glands of
the pylorus

Glands of the
endometrium of the
uterus
 SIMPLE TUBULOALVEOLAR
GLANDS

Salivary glands of the oral cavity

Seromucous glands of the respiratory tract

Mucous glands of the esophagus

Submucosal glands of the duodenum

SIMPLE ALVEOLAR GLANDS
 SIMPLE STRAIGHT
ALVEOLAR GLANDS
Urethera: parauretheral
and periuretheral glands

Small sebaceous glands

 SIMPLE BRANCHED
ALVEOLAR GLANDS
Stomach: mucus
secreting glands
of the cardia
Larger sebaceous
glands
 COMPOUND TUBULAR
GLANDS
Duodenum:
submucosal glands
of Brunner

Kidney

Testis
BRUNNER GLAND
 COMPOUND TUBULOALVEOLAR
GLANDS

Submandibular
salivary gland
Larger of the mucous
glands of the
esophagus
Seromucous glands of
the respiratory tract
 COMPOUND ALVEOLAR
GLANDS

Pancreas:
excretory portion

Mammary gland