GENERAL ANATOMY:

EPITHELIAL TISSUE

SAHEERA KAMARZAMAN
11th August 2009
 OBJECTIVES:
1. List and describe the 4 basic types of
tissue.
2. Describe the basal lamina and its
function.
3. Distinguish basal lamina from basement
membrane.
4. Name and describe the intercellular
junctions.
5. Name the specializations of the epithelial
cells surface that may be presented and
describe their functions.
6. Classify the epithelia and describe the
characteristics of each class.
7. Classify the covering epithelia, describe
each type of covering epithelia and name
their locations and functions.
8. Classify the glandular epithelia.
9. Distinguish between mucous and serous
cells.

10. Discuss the polarity, nutrition,

innervation and renewal of epithelial
cells.

11. Explain metaplasia with examples.

 TYPES OF TISSUES
1. Surface/ lining epithelium:
- Protection and absorption.
2. Glandular epithelium (glands):
- Secretion.
3. Neuroepithelium (taste buds):
- Sensation.
4. Myoepithelium:
- Contraction.
 Classification of lining epithelium:
1. Simple:
a) simple squamous epithelium.
b) simple cuboidal epithelium.
c) simple columnar epithelium.
-ciliated/ non-ciliated
2. Pseudostratified:
a) columnar (ciliated)
b) columnar (with streocilia)
3. Stratified:
a) keratinized b) non-keratinized
c) str. Cuboidal d) str. Columnar
e) str. transitional
 BASAL LAMINA & BASEMENT
MEMBRANE
1. Supporting layer that separated epithelia
from the underlying connective tissue.
2. Composed of 2 sublayers:
- basal lamina = glycoproteins.
fx = acts as selective permeable filter
between epithelium & connective
tissue.
- reticular lamina = reticular fibres.
fx = support the epithelium
INTERCELLULAR JUNCTIONS
1. Zonula occludens (tight junction)
2. Zonula adherens
3. Macula adherens (desmosome)
4. Gap junctions (nexus)
 Zonula occludens
 Located near the apical part.
 In the form of a band or belt encircling the
apical part of each cell.
 Serves as a barrier giving a sealing effect
to the epithelium  preventing passage of
materials through the intercellular space
from the lumen (e.g. intestine/ urinary
bladder).
 Zonula adherens
 Present immediately below the zonula
occludens.
 Completely encircles the cell.
 Characterized by the presence of dense
plaque-like material on the cytoplasmic
surface.
 Microfilaments are embedded in the dense
plaque & continuous with filaments of
terminal web.
Macula adherens (desmosome)
 Third component.
 Scattered over the lateral surfaces of
epithelial cells.
 In the form of discs.
 Provides firm adhesions between cells
which are subjected to friction (e.g.
epidermis of skin).
 Gap junctions (nexus)
 Seen on the lateral surface of the
epithelial cells.
 Each junction contains transmembrane
protein channels  permit the passage of
inorganic ions & other small molecules/
passage of nutrients to cells which are
farther away from nutritional source.
CELL SURFACE MODIFICATIONS
1. Glycocalyx (cell coat/ fuzzy coat)
2. Microvili (brush border/striated border):
- non motile
- fx = absorption
- e.g. intestinal epithelium kidney tubules
3. Stereocilia
4. Cilia:
- motile
- transport
- e.g. respiratory tract, uterine tube
 GLANDS
 A gland is an organ of secretion made of
specialised secretory cells.
 Classification of glands:
a) based on site of secretion.
- Exocrine
- Endocrine
- Paracrine
b) Based on number of cells
- unicellular gland
- multicellular gland

c) Based on number of ducts and shape of

secretory end piece
- simple gland
- compound gland
d) Based on the mode of secretion
- merocrine gland
- apocrine gland
- holocrine gland
- cytocrine gland

e) Based on nature of secretion

- serous gland
- mucous gland
- mixed gland
 Differences between serous and
mucous acini
Serous Acinus: Mucous Acinus:
1. Thin watery secretion. 1. Thick viscous secretion.

2. Round & central 2. Flat & peripheral

nucleus. nucleus.
3. Small lumen. 3. Large lumen.

4. Indistinct cell 4. Distinct boundaries.

boundaries. 5. Lightly stained with H&E.
5. Darkly stained with 6. Fx= protection &
H&E. lubrication.
6. Fx= enzyme action 7. E.g.sublingual
7. E.g. Parotid