COVERING AND LINING EPITHELIUM.

Covering and lining epithelium can be explained based on 3 groups :

(A) According to arrangement of layers
Epithelial cells tend to be more arranged in one or more layers depending on the
function of the particular body part where it is found. The term used to refer to their
classification by arrangement of layers include the following :
1. Simple epithelium - they are a single layer of cells found in areas where activities such
as diffusion, osmosis, filteration, secretion and absorption occur.
2. Stratified epithelium - they contain 2 or more layers of cells that protect the underlying
tissues in areas where there is considerable wear and tear.
3. Pseudo-stratified epithelium - they contain 1 layer of a mixture of cell shapes. The
tissue has a multi-layered appearance because the nuclei at different levels reach the
surface. Those that reach the surface are either ciliated or secrete mucus.

(B) According to cell shapes

Epithelial tissue contain cells with 4 basic shapes which are termed :
1. Squamous epithelium - the cells are flat and are attached to each other like tiles. Their
thinness allows for rapid movement of substances through them.
2. Cuboidal epithelium - the cells are thicker, bang cube or hexagonal shaped. They
produce several important body secretions and they may also function in absorption of
fluid and other substances, such as digested food in the intestine.
3. Columnal epithelium - the cells are tall and cylindrical, thereby protecting underlying
tissues. Some may have cilia, they may also be specialized for secretion and absorption.
4. Transitional epithelium - the cells readily change in shape from flat to columnal and
often change shape due to distension, expansion or movement of body parts.

(C) According to general classification.

This is the general classification of covering and lining epithelium considering their
layers and their shapes. It is as follows:
(1). Simple epithelium
a) Simple squamous epithelium :
 This consists of a single layer of flat cells
 It's surface resembles a tilled floor.
 Nucleus of each cell is oval or spherical.
 It is highly adapted for diffusion, osmosis and filteration since it has only one cell
layer.
 It is found in body parts that are subject to little wear and tear.
 Simple squamous epithelium that lines the heart, blood vessels and lymphatic vessels
and form the wall of capillaries is known as endothelium.
 Those that form the epithelial layers of serous membrane is called mesothelium.
 Endothelium and mesothelium are both derived from embryonic Mesoderm.
 b) Simple cuboidal epithelium :
 The cuboidal shape of the cell is obvious only when the tissue is sectioned at right
angles to the surface.
 The nuclei are usually round.
 It performs the function of secretion and absorption.

c) Simple columnar epithelium :

 The cells appear rectangular with oval nuclei.
 It exists in 2 forms :
i. Non-ciliated simple columnar epithelium : it contains microvilli and goblet cells.
Microvilli are microscopic finger-like projections that serve to increase the surface area of
the plasma membrane. This increase the amount of digested nutrients and fluid that can be
absorbed into the cell and thus into the body. Goblet cells on the other hand are modified
columnar cells that secrete mucus. Mucus accumulates towards the apical(free) surface of
the cell, causing the area to bulge out, the whole cell then resembles a goblet or wine
glass. The mucus serves as lubricant for the lining of the digestive, respiratory,
reproductive and most of the urinary tract. The mucus also helps to trap dust that enters
the body especially in the respiratory tract. In the digestive tract, mucus prevents
destruction of the epithelial lining by digestive enzymes.
ii. Ciliated simple columnar epithelium - it resembles an eye lashes. In a few part of the
upper respiratory tract, ciliated columnar cells are intersperised with goblet cells. Mucus
secreted by the goblet cells form a film over the respiratory surface that traps foreign
particles that are inhaled. The cilia wave in Union and move the mucus with any foreign
particle towards the throat, where it is either swallowed or spit out. The cilia also
functions in the female reproductive tract where they help to move a secondary oocyte
down the uterine tube for fertilization or a fertilized ovum down the uterine tube into the
uterus for implantation.