HISTO ● HISTOLOGY SHIFT

M3: EPITHELIUM
#1
Ma. Margarita Leticia D. Gellaco, MD, MHPEd, FPOGS SEPTEMBER 3. 2021

■ Does not cross epithelial basement membrane

LECTURE OUTLINE
○ Oxygen and metabolites are supplied to the epithelium through
I Epithelium Diffusion and Osmosis
A. General Characteristics
a. Functions II. MEMBRANE SPECIALIZATIONS
b. Characteristics of Surface Epithelium
● Intercellular Surfaces: In between two adjacent cells
II Membrane Specializations ○ Tight Junction
A. Intercellular Surfaces ○ Adhering Junctions
B. Basal Surfaces ■ Adhering Belt
■ Desmosome
III Classification & Nomenclature
■ Hemidesmosome
A. Morphological Characteristics
○ Gap Junctions
B. Simple epithelium
● Luminal Surface
B1. Simple Squamous epithelium
○ Cilia
B2. Simple Cuboidal epithelium
○ Microvilli
B3. Simple Columnar epithelium
○ Stereocilia
B4. Simple Columnar Ciliated epithelium
B5. Pseudostratified Columnar epithelium with cilia &
goblet cells Membrane Specializations
C. Stratified epithelium A. Intercellular or Adjacent Surfaces
C1. Stratified Squamous epithelium - In between cells
C2. Stratified Cuboidal epithelium
C3. Stratified Columnar epithelium 1. Tight Junctions (aka Occluding ● Holds cells together
D. Transitional Epithelium Junction/Zona Occludens) ○ forms a collar around
each cell immediately
IV Glandular Epithelium beneath the apical
A. General Characteristics surface
B. Characteristics of Surface Epithelium
C. Neuroepithelium glands ● Function: Blocks the passage
of contents between the apical
I. EPITHELIUM and basolateral surface

A. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
● Encompasses almost all the organs of the body (not just limited to the
skin)
● Lines passages and organs (Ex. Esophagus)
● One end of the epithelium is free while the other end is attached to the
basement membrane

a. FUNCTIONS
● Protection → Skin Figure 1. Tight Junctions In the small
● Absorption → Intestine intestine
● Secretion → Glandular epithelium 2. Adhering Junctions ● Anchor for cytoskeletal
● Excretion → Kidneys filaments
● Reproduction → Ovary ● Located Intracellularly
● Sensation → Neuroepithelium
● Lubrication → Goblet cell Locations of Adhering Junctions
● Contraction → Myoepithelial cell
a. Lateral Surface
B. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SURFACE EPITHELIUM Zonula adherens or Adhering belt
● Keratin Intermediate Filament/ Cytokeratins (links adjacent cells)
○ Structural Support of the epithelium ● Continuous band deep to the
■ Form a supporting network within the cytoplasm tight junctions; lateral plasma
○ Anchored to the plasma membrane at intercellular junctions membrane
○ Located intracellularly ● Transmembrane protein:
○ Provide mechanical strength E-Cadherin
○ Participate in intercellular connections ○ Homophilic
● Bound to adjacent cells through Cellular Junctions Ca++-dependent
○ Forms a continuous sheet glycoprotein
● Polarity ○ Cadherin of one cell
○ The surfaces of the cell will always be the on the same location will connect with
○ Due to the specialized structures present on a particular surface cadherin of another
Figure 2. Diagram showing molecular
■ Apical/ Luminal surface (top) - Facing the lumen adjacent cell
organization of zonula adherens
■ Lateral surfaces (side) - Remains on the side ● Intracellular Binding site
■ Basal Surface - Faces the basement membrane ○ Actin filaments
○ Cell nucleus is basally oriented ● Forms a strong adhesive and
● Avascular cohesive connection is formed
○ No blood vessels in the epithelium
○ Blood vessels are located in the deeper structure
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 Desmosome or Macula adherens B. Luminal or Apical Surfaces
(links adjacent cells)
● Located below Zonula ● Hair-like organelles seen with
adherens 1. Cilia light microscope
● Transmembrane protein: ● Central doublet and nine
Cadherin peripheral couplets
○ Will connect to keratin ● Contents:
intermediate ○ Central Core
filaments (axoneme)
● Strong and cohesive ○ Basal body
connection is formed ● Types:
● Greatest amount of 1. Motile :
desmosomes can be found in - Respiratory tract, female
Stratified squamous reproductive system
Figure 3. 3D view of Desmosome epithelium - Central doublet is
Figure 7. Cilia central doublet surrounded by 9
surrounded by 9 peripheral doublets peripheral doublet
b. Basal Surface (linked by protein nexin and radial - Presence of nexin and
spokes) radial spokes
Hemidesmosome (cell to
basement membrane) 2. Non-motile:
● Hemi means “like” - Other mammalian cells
○ Like a desmosome - Absence of nexin and
● Modified desmosomes found radial/protein spokes
in the basal surface
● Transmembrane protein: 3. Flagella:
Integrin - Modified cilia; longer
● Intracellular Binding: - Present only in
○ Integrin will connect spermatozoa
intracellularly to - One per sperm
keratin and plectin
● Extracellular binding
○ Integrins will bind to
laminins of basement
membrane
● Forms link to the basement
membrane

Figure 4. Hemidesmosome
NOTE: Take note of the different integral proteins for adhering junctions
ZA and Desmosomes = E cadherin
- ZA: Actin
- D: Keratin intermediate filaments Figure 8. Flagellum
Hemidesmosome = Integrin
- Intracellularly binds to Keratin and plectin 2. Microvilli ● Under Electron microscope it
- Extracellularly binds to Basement membrane is seen as:
○ Minute,finger like
3. Gap Junctions ● “Communicating junctions” Projections or folds
● Broad patches where adjacent ○ Terminal web is made
membranes are opposed up of horizontal network
● Intervening gap of 2-4nm of actin microfilaments
● Allows passage of ions and ○ Core: vertical network of
intercellular signaling microfilaments
○ Open and close
depending on: ● Under Light microscope:
- Intracellular calcium ○ Microvilli & cell coat or
- pH glycocalyx may be
- Extracellular signals called brush border or
- Connexon channels - striated border
permit passage of ions
(for intercellular ● Increase surface area for
Figure 5. Encircled in blue is the signalling) absorption
connexon with gap in the middle ● Transmembrane protein: ● Found in small intestine and
Connexon Figure 9 . Microvilli under EM proximal renal tubules
○ Composed of six
connexins (protein)
○ Arranged like a
“flower” in the middle
of the connexins is a
gap/ hole
○ Not attached to any
filaments /cytoskeleton
structure
● Location: lateral plasma
membrane

Figure 6. Gap Junctions micrograph

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 Figure 10. Microvilli under LM Pseudostratified Trachea Cleans inspired air &
3. Stereocillia ● Appear like long microvilli; Columnar Bronchi transport mucus (traps
readily visible in light Epithelium (with particulate matter) to the
microscopy goblet cells and oral cavity for expulsion
● Contains actin cilia) via coughing
microfilaments similar to
microvilli
● Facilitates absorption Simple Fallopian tubes Conduct oocyte & sperm
● Less organized compared Columnar Efferent ductules of the (by ciliary action)
to microvilli Epithelium (with testes
● Seen in epididymis and cilia)
middle ear
Pseudostratified Epididymis Absorb fluid
Columnar Vas deferens
Epithelium (with
stereocilia)

Figure 11. Stereocillia under LM

III. CLASSIFICATION & NOMENCLATURE Figure 13. Respiratory Epithelium

● Traditionally classified according to morphological characteristics:

A. MORPHOLOGICAL SPECIALIZATIONS
● No. of cell layers
○ Simple - one layer
○ Stratified - two or more layers
● Type of cell
○ Squamous - flat
○ Cuboidal - length = width
○ Columnar - length > width
● Special features
○ Cilia Figure 14. Efferent Ductule
○ Keratin
○ Goblet
○ Brush border

Figure 15. Epididymis

B. SIMPLE EPITHELIUM

Figure 12. Types of Epithelium

B1. Simple Squamous epithelium
NOTE: For nomenclature of stratified epithelium; to better identify the
type/shape of the cell, follow the shape of the topmost cell

NOTE: Pseudostratified - ‘pseudo’ because the nuclei at different levels

make the epithelium look stratified. All of the cells rest on the basement
membrane only has one layer but some do not reach the apical surface.

Functional Correlations of other Epithelia Figure 16. Simple squamous epithelium

Wheater’s Functional Histology
Type of Cell Location Characteristics
Structure ● Mosaic pattern (from the top)
Transitional/ Urinary tract Umbrella shaped or ○ Irregular borders but will form cohesive
Urothelium dome-shaped epithelium
○ a.k.a. Pavemented epithelium
(TWG) TORIENTE, TORRES, A., TORRES, F., TORRES, M., TORRIJOS; (TEG) TUCAY, UMIL, UY, A., UY, D., UY, J. 3
 ● Cells and nucleus are flat B4. Simple Columnar Ciliated epithelium
Function ● For passive transport of fluids, nutrients and
metabolites (capillaries) - Endothelium
● Reduces friction due to movement of abdominal
organs within the abdominal cavity by producing
lubricating fluids - Mesothelium
● Gas exchange
Location ● Walls of capillaries
● Bowman’s capsule of the glomerulus
● Heart chambers blood vessels and lymphatic vessels -
Endothelium Figure 19. Simple columnar epithelium w/ cilia
● Digestive organs (external surfaces), organs of the Wheater’s Functional Histology
abdominal cavity (peritoneal lining), lungs (pleura) -
Structure ● Tall columnar with cilia at the apical side
Mesothelium
● Nuclei towards the midzone of cells
Function ● Facilitates transport of ovum from the ovary to the
B2. Simple Cuboidal epithelium nucleus
● Conduct oocyte & sperm (by ciliary action)
Location ● Female reproductive tract: fallopian tube (oviduct)

B5. Pseudostratified Columnar epithelium w/ Cilia & Goblet Cells

a.k.a. “Respiratory epithelium”

Figure 17. Simple cuboidal epithelium

Wheater’s Functional Histology

Structure ● Square, but polygonal in surface view

● Nucleus
○ Round and centrally located
Figure 20. Pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium w/ goblet cells
Function ● Protect ducts Wheater’s Functional Histology
● Transport and absorb filtered material in kidney
tubules
● Line small ducts that have excretory, secretory or Structure ● Has goblet cells
absorptive function ● Nuclei located in varying levels
Location ● Kidney (collecting tubules) Function ● Cleans inspired air
● Salivary glands & pancreas (small excretory ducts) ● Transport mucus
● Mucus secretion (non-ciliated goblet cells amongst the
ciliated cells)
● Particulate matter to oral cavity for expulsion
B3. Simple Columnar epithelium (coughing out)
Location ● Respiratory tract: trachea, bronchi (except nasal
tract)

C. STRATIFIED EPITHELIUM

C1. Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Figure 18. Simple columnar epithelium

Wheater’s Functional Histology

Structure ● Tall columnar, elongated nuclei towards the basal

surface showing polarity
Function ● Absorption (microvilli)
● Mucus secretion (goblet cells)
● Protection from corrosive secretions from stomach
Location ● Small & large intestines
● Organs in abdominal cavity Consist of a variable number of layers that exhibit maturation from a
● Nucleus (basally-oriented) cuboidal basal layer to a flattened surface. (Wheater’s Functional
Histology)

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TWO TYPES:

C1a. Stratified Squamous Epithelium Keratinized

Figure 21. Stratified squamous epithelium keratinized

Structure ● No nucleus at the top-most layer because these cells

have become highly keratinized
● Basement layer constantly undergoes mitotic division,
pushing cells upward. Figure 23. Superficial layers of Non-Keratinized and Keratinized Stratified
● When reaching the topmost layer, they become Squamous Epithelium
flattened
● NO NUCLEUS

Function ● For protection of surfaces due to its multi-layered

cellular composition
● Additional protection from abrasion, desiccation and
bacterial invasion.
Location ● Palms of hands
● Sole of the foot

C1b. Stratified Squamous Epithelium Non-keratinized

Figure 24. Non- keratinized (Top). Keratinized (Bottom)

Figure 22. Stratified squamous epithelium non-keratinized

Structure ● Presence of nucleus even at the top most layer

● Basement layer constantly undergoes mitotic division,
pushing cells upward.
● When reaching the topmost layer they become flattened.
Function ● For protection of surfaces due to its multi-layered cellular
composition
Location ● Esophagus Figure 25. Non-keratinized Epithelium of the Esophagus
● Vagina
● Anal canal
● Oral cavity

Figure 26. Keratinized Epithelium of the Skin

(TWG) TORIENTE, TORRES, A., TORRES, F., TORRES, M., TORRIJOS; (TEG) TUCAY, UMIL, UY, A., UY, D., UY, J. 5
 ● Basement membrane of the skin is not straight, it has a wavy C. TRANSITIONAL EPITHELIUM
appearance.
● Several cell layers with extensions of the connective tissue indenting
the lower surface of the epithelium are called papillae (wavy D. Transitional Epithelium
appearance)​.
● In areas where the stratified squamous epithelium is exposed to wear
and tear, the outermost layer becomes thick and keratinized as shown
here in the epidermis of the palm.

C2. Stratified Cuboidal Epithelium

Figure 29. Transitional Epithelium: Empty Bladder (Left). Distended Bladder

(Right)

Structure ● Also known as urothelium

Figure 27. Stratified Cuboidal Epithelium
Structure ● Thin, stratified epithelium that usually consists of only
two or three layers of cuboidal cells (Wheather’s
Functional Histology)
● Have the ability to stretch readily, thus permitting
distension of the organ without disrupting intercellular
connections
● Dome shaped-umbrella shaped
Function ● Allows distensibility of urinary organs (calyces, pelvis,
ureters, and urinary bladder) without breaking the cell
contacts
● Forms a protective osmotic barrier between urine in
the urinary bladder and underlying tissue fluids

Function ● Not involved in significant absorptive or secretory activity Property ● Elastic

but merely provides a more robust lining ● When the organ is filled with urine, it is distended and
may appear as if there are only a few layers of cells
Location ● Has very limited distribution as seen only in the larger ● However, when the organ is empty, all the cell layers is
excretory ducts: seen
● Salivary glands
● Pancreas
IV. GLANDULAR EPITHELIUM
● Glands
C3. Stratified Columnar Epithelium ○ Came from epithelial cells that have proliferated and penetrated
the connective tissue
○ If contact is maintained (presence of duct) exocrine glands are
formed
○ If contact is lost (disappearance of duct cells) endocrine glands
are formed

1. Exocrine Gland
2. Endocrine Gland
3. Neuroepithelium Gland

Figure 28. Stratified Columnar Epithelium

Structure ● Very rare

● Called stratified columnar due to the type of cell at the
topmost layer.
Function ● Protection
● Secretion
Location ● Rare in the body
● Small amounts in male urethra and in large ducts of
some glands

Figure 30. Formation of Glands

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 1. EXOCRINE GLANDS Simple Branched Tubular

MORPHOLOGY

Duct System ● Simple: unbranched

● Compound: branched
○ Secretory portion of gland + corresponding
duct = complete complement (more than 2)

Secretory ● Tubular: straight down; test tube like

Component ● Acinar: dilated; sac like

MEANS OF SECRETION

1. Merocrine - secretes to the surface of the skin. Figure 34. Simple Branched Tubular
2. Apocrine - secretes into the pilary canal of the hair follicle without
Location ● Gastric glands of stomach
opening directly onto the surface of the skin.
3. Holocrine

Simple Acinar

Figure 35. Simple Acinar

Figure 31. Summary of Morphology of Glands Location ● Dilated secretory portion
● In the form of pockets in epithelial surfaces
Simple Tubular ● Mucus-secreting glands of penile urethra

Simple Branched Acinar

Figure 32 . Large Intestine

Location ● Straight Lumen
● Large intestine

Figure 36 . Simple Branched Acinar

Simple Coiled Tubular Location ● Several secretory acini emptying into one
duct
● Sebaceous glands

Figure 33. Simple Coiled Tubular

Location ● Sweat glands

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 Compound Branched Tubular SECRETION
Merocrine ● Most common
● Secretion by exocytosis - simple release without any loss
of cellular compartment
● Eccrine sweat glands, intestinal gland, exocrine pancreas

Figure 37. Compound Branched Tubular

Location ● Brunner’s gland of duodenum

Compound Acinar
Apocrine ● Discharge of membrane bound vesicles with secretions
● Part of the cell has to be released in order to release the
secretions - Pinched off portions of cells release the
secretions
● Mammary gland, portion of the cell is pinched of
releasing the milk
● Odiferous sweat glands

Figure 38. Compound Acinar

Location ● Full complement of gland and they all
combine to go out into one major duct
● Dilated secretory portion
● Exocrine portion of Pancreas has ducts

Compound Tubulo-Acinar
Figure 40. Apocrine portion of mammary gland

Holocrine ● Discharge of whole/entire secretory cells

● The entire cell will disintegrate to release its products
● New cells will constantly be formed
● Sebaceous gland

Figure 39. Compound Tubulo-Acinar

Location ● Submandibular salivary glands

Figure 41. Sebaceous Gland

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 e. Nature of the cell junctions that are present
3 TRUE OR FALSE: Nuclei in pseudostratified columnar ciliated
epithelium with goblet cells are located on the basal surface only.
4 Which of the following structures possess nuclei even at the topmost
layer?
a. Simple Cuboidal epithelium
b. Stratified squamous epithelium keratinized
c. Stratified squamous epithelium non-keratinized
d. Simple Columnar epithelium
5 What type of secretion is involved in acne?
a. Merocrine secretion
2. ENDOCRINE GLANDS b. Holocrine secretion
c. Apocrine secretion
6 What is the transmembrane protein found in hemidesmosomes?
a. Integrin
b. Cadherin
c. Keratin
d. Actin

● No ducts
● Secretory cells are surrounded by blood vessels which transport RATIONALIZATION
hormones
● Chemical messenger: Hormones No. RATIONALIZATION
○ Ex: thyroid and pituitary 1 E- KERATIN. Keratin is an intermediate filament/ Cytokeratin. It acts
● Clinical application as a mechanical strength and support and forms a continuous sheet
○ Metaplasia through the cell junction.
■ Cigarette smokers
■ Chronic Vit. A Deficiency 2 B- NUMBER OF CELL LAYERS. Cellular features that are used in
○ Renewal of epithelial tissue naming the type of epithelia are: No. of cell layers, type of cell and
○ Benign and Malignant tumors special features it possess( cilia, keratin, goblet, brush border)
3 FALSE - Nuclei in pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium with
goblet cells are located at various levels, not on the basal surface
2. NEUROEPITHELIUM GLANDS only.
4 C-STRATIFIED SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM NON-KERATINIZED. The
nuclei of the maturing epithelial cells of the KERATINIZED stratified
nuclei become progressively condensed (pyknotic) and eventually
disappear along with the other cellular organelles during keratinization.
5 B- HOLOCRINE. Acne is a disorder of the hair follicle and sebaceous
glands. Sebaceous gland is a type of holocrine gland, meaning that
the secretion of the sebum involves the death of the cell secreting it.
6 A- INTEGRIN. Hemidesmosome TMP= Integrin
- Intracellularly binds to Keratin and plectin
- Extracellularly binds to Basement membrane

FREEDOM WALL

● Modified columnar cells containing afferent fibers that upon stimulation

will transmit sensory information to the central gustatory neurons.
○ Tastebuds
○ ○ Afferent fibers: transmit to central gustatory neurons

APA REFERENCES
Gellaco, M. (2021). Epithelial tissue. Pre-recorded lecture.
Young, B., O’dowd G., & Woodford P. (2014). Wheater's functional histology: A
text and colour atlas. Elsevier:USA.
Tigas, T.I.O. et. al. (2020). Epithelium trans. UST FMS:PH.

REVIEW QUESTIONS

No. QUESTION
1 Intermediate filament protein found in cytoplasm of most epithelial
cells is which of the following?
a. Actin
b. Vimentin
c. Laminin
d. Myosin
e. Keratin
2 Which of the following cellular features is used in naming types of
epithelia?
a. Shape of cells in the basal layers
b. Number of cell layers
c. Presence of a basal lamina
d. Size of the nuclei
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(TWG) TORIENTE, TORRES, A., TORRES, F., TORRES, M., TORRIJOS; (TEG) TUCAY, UMIL, UY, A., UY, D., UY, J.
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 ANN

(TWG) TORIENTE, TORRES, A., TORRES, F., TORRES, M., TORRIJOS; (TEG) TUCAY, UMIL, UY, A., UY, D., UY, J.
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