Tissues – Introduction

A group of similar cells specialized to carry on a

particular function
tissue = cells + extracellular matrix
nonliving portion of a tissue that supports cells
4 types of Basic Tissues
Epithelial = protection, secretion, absorption
Connective = support soft body parts and bind
structures together
Muscle = movement
Nervous = conducts impulses used to help control and
coordinate body activities
Epithelial Tissue
The cells are compactly or closely packed each
other separated by little intercellular substance,
basally rest on basement membrane and forming
the covering of most internal and external
surfaces of the body and its organs.

TYPES
 Surface epithelia
 Glandular epithelia
 EPITHELIAL TISSUES
General characteristics:
• One of the basic tissues
• Derived from 3 embryonic germ layers
• Cover external surfaces and line closed cavities
• Have closely arranged cells with very little amount of
intercellular substance
• All cells rest on a basement membrane
• Have capability for renewal and regeneration
• These show metaplasia
• Epithelial tissues are avascular
 Functions of epithelia
1. Protection
2. Absorption
3. Secretion
4. Excretion
5. Lubrication
6. Transport
7. Regeneration
8. Senesory reception
 Classification of epithelia
Based on following:
1.Number of cell layers called simple or stratified
2.Shape of surface cells called squamous, cuboidal or
columnar
3.Free cell surface specializations called cilia or microvilli
SIMPLE EPITHELIUM
1.SIMPLE SQUAMOUS:
Single layer of squamous cells.
Flat cells with polygonal appearance
Cells have centrally placed oval nucleus.
Locations:.parietal layer of Bowman’s capsule.
.thin segment of loop of Henle
.serous membranes
.blood vessels , lymph vessels.
Function: 1. fluid transport
2. gaseous exchange
2.SIMPLE CUBOIDAL:
Single layer of cuboidal cells.
Cells have round,central nuclie.
Locations: 1.thyroid follicles
2.renal tubules
3. Surface of ovary

Functions: a)absorption
b)secretion
c)protection
3.SIMPLE COLUMNAR:
Single layer of columnar cells
Ovoid nuclie located at SAME LEVEL in the basal parts of
cells.
Locations:1.GIT
2.Gall bladder
3.Uterine tubes & uterus etc.
Functions: a) absorption b) secretion
c) transportation d) protection
Surface modifications of
s.columnar epithelium
Microvilli:
Finger-like projections to increase surface area for
absorption.
If uniform in size called striated border.
If irregular in size called brush border.
Stereocilia:
Are non-motile, long microvilli,increase surface area.
Cilia:
Motile projections,move fluid or ova.
PSEUDO-STRATIFIED COL:
Mostly ciliated
One layer of cells, lie on basement membrane
All cells not reach surface due to different height of cells
Nuclei of cells lie at different levels giving false appearance
of many layers
Goblet cells are also present and secrete mucous

Locations: 1.respiratory tract (conducting parts)

2.male genital ducts

Functions: protection , lubrication, transportation .

STRATIFIED EPITHELIUM
1. St.squamous (two types)
A: .st.squamous keratinized
B:st.squamous non-keratinized

ST.SQUAMOUS KERATINIZED
Composed of several layers
Cells in basal layer are columnar, in middle are polyhedral,
and in superficial are squamous
Surface cells are nucleated
Keratin is present on surface cells

Locations: Skin, Epidermis and dermis

 ST. SQUAMOUS Non-KERATINIZED:
Squamous cells in superficial layers
Nucleus is present in superficial cells
Keratin is not present on surface cells

location: oral cavity, esophagus, vagina

2.ST.CUBOIDAL:
Cosists of two layers of cells.
Surface cells are cuboidal in shape.
Location: Ducts of sweat glands.
3.ST. COLUMNAR:
Consists of 2-3 layers of cells;
Surface cells are columnar in shape.
locations: 1. portions of male urethra
2. large excretory ducts
3. parts of pharynx & larynx
4.TRANSITIONAL :
 Many cell layers.
 Surface cells are dome- shaped , in middle are
polyhedral cells and the basal layer consists of cuboidal cells.
 Some cells are binucleate.
 Apical surface is thickened and is urine proof.
 In relaxed state the epithelium is thick ,layers are more and cells are
rounded.
 In stretched state,layers are less and cells are squamous.
 Location: urinary tract only ( also called uroepithelium)
Epithelial Specializations:
 The Apical Region
Epithelial Specializations:

Microvilli Stereocilia Cilia

small intestines epididymis fallopian tube

 Microvilli
• Cytoplasmic processes that
extend from cell surfaces
• Increase area for absorption as
in small intestine
• Insert into terminal web

microvillus border

terminal web

Small intestines
 Stereocilia
• Long microvilli (NOT CILIA!)
• Non-motile

Epididymis
 Cilia
• Motile processes of
microtubules that
move
synchronously
• Insert into basal cilia Basal bodies
bodies (1 cilium per
1 body)
• 9+2 microtubule
arrangement

Fallopian tube
Trachea
GLANDULAR EPITHELIA
These are tissues formed by cells specialized to
produce secretion
Development:
Surface epithelial cells undergo proliferation and
penetrate deep into connective tissue
Deeper part of ingrowth forms secretory part
If connection of secretory part is intact with surface,
the gland is called exocrine and the connection is
called the duct
If secretory part losses its connection, the gland is
called ductless or endocrine
Endocrine glands
These are organized as cords or in form of follicles
Secretion is released directly into blood
Examples include thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal,
pituitary etc
Exocrine glands
Classification:
I:Depending upon number of cells:
i. Unicellular
(eg. Goblet cells )
These cells have a narrow base and expanded apex
Apex contains mucinogen granules
ii. ulticellular
These glands have two parts
i) duct ii) secretary part
II: Depending upon
(a) morphology of duct:
 if single unbranched duct, the gland is called SIMPLE
if duct branches, gland called COMPOUND
(b): shape of secretory unit:
If like test tube, called TUBULAR. It can be straight,
coiled or branched
If secretory part is spherical, the gland is classified as
acinar or alveolar
Some glands may be partly tube-like and partly
spherical, then called tubulo-acinar or tubulo-
alveolar
Therefore based upon:
Morphology of duct & shape of secretory part, exocrine glands
are classified as;
SIMPLE
i. simple tubular (intestinal gland)
ii. simple coiled tubular(sweat gland)
iii. simple branched tubular(esophageal, gastric and pyloric
glands)
iv. simple acinar (uncommon)
v. simple branched acinar (sebaceous gland)
COMPOUND
i.compound tubular (Bruners gland
in duodenum)

ii.copmound acinar (pancreas)

iii. compound tubulo-acinar (salivary
glands)
III. Depending upon mode of secretion:
Merocrine :
secretory product is released by exocytosis
Apocrine :
A minute part of apical cytoplasm is released along with
secretion
Holocrine:
entire cells are released along with secretion
cells are broken or may remain intact
IV: Depending upon nature of secretion:
Serous gland
Mucous gland
Seromucous (mixed) gland
 Serous gland:
Cells are pyramidal, with broad base and narrow apex
Nucleus spherical, located near base
Cytoplasm shows basal basophilia due to RER and
apical eosinophilia due to secretory product present
there
Lumen of the acinus is very narrow
Acini smaller in size , are round in shape
 Mucous gland:
Cell are columnar or cuboidal in shape
Nucleus is flattened and peripheral
Cytoplasm is pale and vacuolated
Lumen of the acinus is wide
Acini are larger in size and variable in shape
 Seromucous(mixed)gland:
Consist of both serous and mucous parts
Mucous cells form tubules and serous cells form a cap
on one side of tubule