Introduction to identifying epithelium

Characteristics of epithelium
Covers surfaces with an uninterrupted layer

of cells. Cells are attached to one another. Intercellular spaces are small. Epithelial cells are segregated from underlying tissue by the basement membrane.

Epithelium cell shapes

1. Squamous-flattened shape

2. Cuboidal-box-shaped, not flattened

3. Columnar-cells that appear much taller than

wide 4. Transitional- variation found primarily in urinary tract

Criteria used to identify epithelium:

The shape of the component cells. 2. The number of cell layers. 3. The presence of surface specializations, such as cilia, villi, or keratin. 4. The presence of secretory structures or cells.
1.

Key feature of epithelium: polarity

Epithelium has a free surface,

the apical surface, exposed to the outside; and an attached surface, the basal surface, resting on the underlying connective tissue. In a simple (single-layered) epithelium, each cell is polarized. The base of each cell is attached to an underlying basement membrane. The apical end faces open space. Lateral surfaces are attached to neighboring epithelial cells.

Basement membrane

Principle layers of the skin

The skin has two principal layers.
1. The epidermis is the epithelial layer of skin. 2. The dermis is the connective tissue layer of

the skin.

The epidermis
The epidermis displays several layers. These layers

are not distinctly different tissues (unlike epidermis and dermis, for example). But rather reflect visible changes or stages along the continuous process of keratinocyte maturation, or keratinization. A continuous process that occurs in stratified keratinized epithelium. The stages in keratinocyte maturation appear as layers within the epidermis; a single section the layers may show all the stages of keratinization.

Slide of stratified, keratinized epithelium showing epidermal layers

Stratum corneum

Stratum granulosum

Stratum spinosum

The dermis
The dermis lies beneath the epidermis,

separated from the epithelium by the basement membrane. The dermis consists of dense connective tissue; the primary component being collagen. The texture of the collagen serves as the basis for recognizing two layers of dermis.

Two layers of the dermis

1.

2.

The papillary layer of the dermis lies adjacent to the epidermis and consists of relative small, finely textured collagen fibers. This layer is named after dermal papillae, the protrusions of dermal connective tissue which indent the base of the epidermis. The reticular layer of the dermis lies beneath the papillary layer and consists of larger, more coarsely textured collagen fibers.

Papillary layer

Simple Squamous Epithelium

Single, thin layer of

flattened cells. Irregular outlines that fit together to form a continuous membrane. Often found in areas where diffusion or filtration take place. The lung alveoli, the bowmans capsule of the kidney are other sites this type may be found.

Luminal surface (esophagus)

Simple cuboidal
Cube appearance refers to

box shape seen when they are sectioned at right angles. When it is stratified, lower layers also cuboidal. Found in glandular ducts, the covering of the ovary. Small ducts have simple cuboidal, larger ducts may have stratified.

Cuboidal in the upper eyelid

Simple columnar
Single layer of tall cells. Usually involved in active

secretion or absorption across the cell layer, often with striated borders and micro-villi. Found lining the digestive tract, the female reproductive tract. Modified simple columnar of the intestinal tract interspersed with mucoussecreting goblet cells for protective coating.

columnar

colon 40x

Stratified epithelium
Are able to withstand

wear and tear Not suited to absorption or secretion. Secretion in this type is accomplished through glands. Includes, stratified squamous nonkeratinizing, stratified columnar, transitional.

Flattened squamous

Cuboidal basal

Stratified squamous-the lip

Psuedostratified columnar
Appears to be stratified,

because the nuclei are in 2 or more distinct levels. But because every cell rests on the basement membrane, it is classified as simple. Found in the respiratory tract and the male reproductive system.
Respiratory Tract

Stratified squamous non-keratinizing

Usually protective.

Multiple layers are too

thick for diffusion. The innermost (basal) layers produce new cells to replace those lost at the surface. no keratinized surface. Lines oral cavity, uterine cervix, and esophagus (this slide).

Basal layer

Transitional epithelium
Descriptive term for special

stratified epithelium that is specialized to accommodate stretching without the membrane breaking apart. Named because it has some features of both cuboidal and stratified squamous making it transitional or an intermediate type. Found almost exclusively in the urinary tract.

Transitional epithelium in the Bladder

Specialized epithelium

Glandular epithelium is specialized for secretion and absorption. Hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and sweat glands are all invaginations of the epidermis. Some specialized epithelium is columnar epithelium with cilia for movement of secretions across membranes.

Sweat gland

Review
With practice you will learn to identify epithelial

tissue under the microscope almost immediately. However, we practiced eliminating obvious possibilities, and learning to identify the nuclei, cytoplasm and structural arrangements typical of epithelial tissue. We identified the basic cell shapes of epithelium. By repeating this process with each section you encounter, you will begin to develop a habitual method of identifying unique characteristics of different tissues under the microscope.