‫بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيم‬

‫‪General histology‬‬
 General histology
Definition of Histology
It is a branch of anatomy which concerned with study of
tissues by using light microscope and electron microscope
Definition of tissues
Collections of specialized cells and cell products organized
to perform a limited number of functions
Tissues of the body
The four tissue types are:
 Epithelial tissues
 Connective tissues
 Muscular tissues
 Nervous tissues
Origin of tissues of the body

Morula
Epithelial tissues
General characteristics of epithelial tissues
1. Arises from all embryonic layers.
2. Blood vessels do not penetrate between epithelial cells
except in endocrine glands.
3. Nerve fibers can penetrate between epithelial cells.
4. Epithelial cells may acts as special receptors.
5. Epithelial cells rest on basal lamina (basement membrane).
6. Epithelial cells can degenerate and can rapidly regenerate
7. Covers all body surface and lines all body cavities.
8. Forms both the external and internal lining of many organs.
9. Epithelial cells constitutes the majority of glands.
10. Epithelial cells have little intracellular substance.
11. Epithelial cells are connected by different cellular junctions.
Basal lamina & basement membrane
 Epithelial cell junctions
There are five types of cell junctions:
1.Tight junction
2. Adhering junction
3. Gap junction
4. Desmosomes junction 1
5. Hemidesmosomes junction 2
Functions of junction
3

5
Tight junction(zonula occludens )
Adherens junction(zonula adherens)
Gap junction(nexus junction)
Desmosome junction(macula adherens)
Hemidesmosomes
Functions of epithelial cell junctions
Specializations of the cell surface of epithelial
The free or apical surface of many types of epithelial cells
contain specialized structures
1. Microvilli
2. Stereocilia
3. Cilia
4. Flagella
 Structure
 Sites
 Functions
 Functions of epithelial tissues
1. Protection
2. Secretion
3. Absorption
4. Sensation
5. Reproduction
6. Excretion
7. Filtration
8. Covering
9. Respiration
10. Regulation of materials into and out of the organ or
tissue
 Classification of epithelium
The epithelium can be classified according to
Function of epithelium
 Glandular epithelium
 Sensory epithelium (neuro-epithelium)
Number of layers of epithelium
 Simple epithelium
 Stratified epithelium
Thank you