Epithelial tissue

A tissue: it is a group of cells that are similar in structure and function. It shows a characteristic arrangement of cells separated from each other by varying amounts of fibrous or amorphous intercellular material. Types of body tissues: 1. Nervous: excitable 2. Muscular: contractile 3. Epithelial: covers surfaces, lines cavities and compose glands 4. Connective: supportive and binding, also nutritive Epithelial tissue characteristics (function): 1. Avascularity: epithelia lack blood vessels, thus it receives nutrients by diffusion through apical and basal surfaces. 2. Attachment: the basal surface of an epithelium is anchored to the underlying connective tissue by a thin basement membrane produced by the basal surface and the underlying connective tissue. 3. Cellularity: epithelial cells are packed tightly together with almost no intercellular spaces and only small amount of intercellular substance. 4. Provides sensation: the sensory tissues of nose, ears, eyes and almost the whole of central nervous system all arise as parts of the epithelial tissue.

5. Secretion: glands are formed/composed from the infolding of epithelial cells and are responsible for secretion. 6. Polarity: epithelial cells are split into two parts: apical surface (which faces the exterior/outer surface and is exposed) and basal surface (attached to the underlying connective tissue by a basement membrane) 7. Regeneration: epithelial cells replace dead or damaged cells. New undamaged cells come up from the bottom to replace the dead ones at the apical surface. Specialized epithelial cells (other functions): 1. Secretion, absorption and conduction of substances. 2. Movement of fluids over the epithelial surface 3. Moving fluids through the epithelium (these cells have strong polarity)

Structure: 1. Apical surface: the portion facing the secretory, absorptive surface (free surface) a. Microvillus/Microvilli: small projections from the apical surface of an epithelium. It greatly increases the surface area of the cell (helps in transportation). Found in sites where there is absorption, secretion, a long digestive and urinary tracts. b. Cilia: long extensions that beat in coordinated fashion and are different from microvilli. Cilia are actively motile processes that help with the movement of materials along the epithelium.

Found in respiratory tracts (usually mucus) and female reproductive tracts (fallopian tubes). 2. Cell junctions/Intercellular connections: a. Tight junction: multi protein complexes that mediate cell-cell adhesion (fusion of cell membranes of neighboring cells). It prevents water and other molecules from diffusing across an epithelial sheet between adjacent cells (protection). Found near apical surfaces of cells in digestive tracts to keep enzymes and acids from damaging cells underneath. b. Desmosomes: strong connections of proteins (CAMs: cell adhesion molecule) between cells. It helps to hold the shape of the cell and anchor it to its base and it's specialized for cell-cell adhesion. Found in superficial skin and cardiac muscle cells (basal and lateral in the cell). c. Gap junctions: connexons (connexons or hemi channels are six proteins that form the gap junction) interacting to form a channel between adjacent cells through the membranes. It allows direct chemical communication between adjacent cells without contact with the extracellular fluid and to coordinate functions and beating cilia. Found in cardiac and smooth muscle (lateral in the cell). 3. Basal surface: the portion of epithelial cells that rest on a mucopolysaccharide containing basement membrane (this portion is adjacent to the basement membrane). Note: epithelia have no capillaries or other blood vessels, thus nutrition is accomplished indirectly by diffusion from capillaries in the connective tissue underlying the epithelia (the lamina propria: is a mucous membrane in the connective tissue

underneath the epithelia. It contains capillaries and blood vessels). Note: the basement membrane under the electron microscope (routine transmission electron micrograph) appears as amorphous, dense line generally termed the basal lamina. Associated with a fine fibrous network.

Classification of epithelial tissue: according to 1. Number of layers: a. simple: one layer of cells that are in contact with the B.M (basement membrane) b. stratified: multiple layers of cells one upon the other. c. pseudo stratified: has one layer of cells (all of which contacts the b.m) but appears stratified because the nuclei are positioned at various distances above the basement membrane). 2. Shape of cells: as seen in a tissue section passing through the epithelium at right angles to the apical and basal surface. In case of stratified epithelium, it is the shape of cells at the free surface that determines the classification. 3. Presence or absence of microvilli or cilia: on the apical surface of the cells.

Intestinal absorptive cells and cells of the proximal convoluted tubule of the kidney possess microvilli on their free surface. Therefore, they are described as having a brush or striated border. Pseudo stratified epithelium lining the nasal cavity and the trachea is composed generally of ciliated cells, thus it is designated as ciliated epithelium. Question: of what functional significance are microvilli and cilia? -microvilli: helps with absorption, increases the surface area of a cell. -cilia: helps with movement of substances across the epithelium. Classification of epithelial tissue according to the shape of cells: 1. Squamous 2. Cuboidal 3. Columnar 4. Transitional SQUAMOUS: squamous epithelium cells are extremely flattened, pancake like profile in section. Simple squamous epithelia are seen in: 1. Mesothelium lining the peritoneal surface of the fundic stomach and the jejunum.

2. Endothelium lining the blood vessels in the submucosa of the stomach. Stratified squamous epithelium is seen in the skin, on the external and internal surface of the lip and lining the esophagus. Question: can you see any differences between the stratified squamous epithelium comprising the epidermis and that found lining the esophagus? -in the esophagus: its surfaces are not keratinized. Therefore, they must be kept moist by bodily secretion to prevent them from dying out. -in the epidermis: it has keratinized surfaces that are protected from abrasion by keratin and kept hydrated and protected from dehydration by glycolipids.

CUBOIDAL: cuboidal epithelium cells have a cube like shape. That is, their width is approximately equal to their height. Simple cuboidal epithelium is seen in the thick ascending and descending portions of the loop of henle in the kidney (in the nephron) and lining the follicles of the thyroid gland. Stratified cuboidal and columnar cells are uncommon, but they are found in the ducts of the exocrine sweat glands of the skin and in the excretory ducts of mucous glands. COLUMNAR: columnar epithelial cells have height at least 4 times greater than its width. Simple columnar epithelium is found on the luminal surface of the gallbladder (on the insides

of the gallbladder) and in the collecting ducts of the kidney and lining the small intestine. (Digestive tracts) -pseudo stratified columnar epithelium: found in trachea and upper respiratory tract (bronchus). These cells are ciliated. TRANSITIONAL: it is a special form of stratified epithelium that is capable of being distended without becoming leaky and of returning to its original shape after being stretched. Found lining the urinary tract. GLANDULAR APETHILIA: A gland: is a one or more cells that makes and secretes an aqueous fluid. Classification of glandular epithelia: according to 1. Site of product release: endocrine and exocrine 2. Number of cells forming the gland: unicellular (goblet cells) and multicellular

Endocrine glands: glands that lack a duct system therefore secrete its hormones and other secretions into the blood or lymph stream to be carries to the targeted organs. Exocrine glands: glands that are more in number than the endocrine glands. They usually secrete products into ducts that release it onto body surfaces (skin) or into body cavities. Like the mucous, sweat, oil, and salivary glands. Unicellular exocrine glands: specialized glands that have no ducts yet considered exocrine glands because it secrets its products directly into the target site. The most common

unicellular gland is the goblet cell that secretes mucus in the epithelium of your trachea and digestive tracts. Multicellular exocrine glands: glands that secrete its products into ducts (composed of a duct and a secretory unit). Like the salivary glands. -Multicellular glands can be classified according to: 1. Duct type: simple or compound 2. Structure of its secretory unit: tubular, alveolar and tubuloalveolar

Modes of secretion: Merocrine: products are secreted by exocytosis. Like the pancreas, sweat and salivary glands) Holocrine: products are secreted by rupture of gland cells. Like the sebaceous glands)