 EPITHELIAL

TISSUE
CHARACTERISTICS OF EPITHELIAL TISSUE:
1.) HIGH CELLULARITY – made up of closely packed cells.
2.) AVASCULAR – no blood vessels in between cells.
3.) EXHIBIT FUNCTIONAL AND MOPHOLOGIC POLARITY – basal, lateral, free surface or apical
domain of an epithelial cell can be determined by its cytoplasmic organelles and surface
modifications.
4.) BASAL SURFACE IS ATTACHED TO AN UNDERLYING BASEMENT MEMBRANE
 Diagram of Small Intestine Absorptive Epithelial Cells
BASAL LAMINA – thin sheet of amorphous extracellular material made up of glycoproteins,
collagen and proteoglycans where basal surfaces of epithelial cells rest.
CONSIST OF 3 LAYERS:
1.) LAMINA RARA EXTERNA – electron luscent layer WHERE BASAL SURFACES OF EPITHELIAL
CELLS REST made up of LAMININ and proteoglycans
2.) LAMINA DENSA – middle electron dense layer. Made up of COLLAGEN TYPE IV and
proteoglycans.
3.) LAMINA RARA INTERNA – electron luscent layer. NOT ALWAYS PRESENT. Composed of
COLLAGEN TYPE VII, fibronectin, thrombospondin and proteoglycans.
BASAL LAMINA – provides structural support to the overlying epithelium.
 Serve as IMPERMEABLE BARRIER that allows only water and small molecules to pass
through.
 BASAL LAMINA – PRODUCT OF THE EPITHELIAL CELLS
 LAMINA FIBRORETICULARIS – layer of extracellular material containing COLLAGEN,
RETICULAR FIBERS AND FIBRONECTIN sandwiched between the basal lamina and the
underlying tissue.
 Thicker than the basal lamina.
 LAMINA FIBRORETICULARIS – is a PRODUCT OF FIBROBLASTS.
 BASAL LAMINA and the LAMINA FIBRORETICULARIS are collectively referred to as the
BASEMENT MEMBRANE.
EPITHELIAL TISSUES
CATEGORIZED INTO 2 GROUPS:
1.) SURFACE EPITHELIUM – covers external surfaces
- consists of a single layer of flattened cells whose nucleus occupies the thickest part of
the cells.
-Lines the lung alveoli, parietal layer of the Bowman’s capsule in the kidneys.

2.) GLANDULAR EPITHELIUM – specialized to synthesize and release secretions.

SURFACE EPITHELIUM - CLASSIFICATION:
SIMPLE EPITHELIAL TISSUES
1) SIMPLE SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM- consists of a single layer of flattened cells whose nucleus
occupies the thickest part of the cells.
-Lines the lung alveoli, parietal layer of the Bowman’s capsule in the kidneys.
2) SIMPLE CUBOIDAL EPITHELIUM- consists of a single layer of cells whose height approximates
their width.
- Nuclei are round and centrally located.
- Lines the ducts of major salivary glands, pancreas, collecting tubules of the kidneys.
3) SIMPLE COLUMNAR EPITHELIUM- consists of a single layer of tall cells. Their nuclei form a
single row, oval shape and more basal in location.
-Lines the stomach, intestines.
4) PSEUDOSTRATIFIED COLUMNAR EPITHELIUM- variant of simple columnar epithelium .
- consists of a single layer of tall cells.
- cells vary in shape
- nuclei are disposed in various levels
- CELLS ALL REST ON THE BASAL LAMINA
- lines the membranous and spongy part of the male urethra
- CILIATED PSEUDOSTRATIFIED COLUMNAR EPITHELIUM or RESPIRATORY EPITHELIUM
lines large passageway of the respiratory system like the trachea and main bronchi
STRATIFIED EPITHELIAL TISSUES:
- classified on the basis of the shape of the cells in their most superficial layer.
1) STRATIFIED SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM- cells in the most superficial layers are flat while cells in
the deeper layers are cuboidal or columnar.
- new cells are formed in the deep layers
- withstand rubbing more than any other type of epithelium.
KERATINIZED STRATIFIED SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM
- cells in the superficial layer are dead cells, anucleated, no organelles and is impervious
to water. It forms the outer histologic layer of the skin and is referred to as EPIDERMIS.
NON KERATINIZED STRATIFIED SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM
- the cells in the superficial layer are flattened but still nucleated. CELLS ALSO CONTAIN
KERATIN. Epithelium is kept moist by glandular secretions. It lines the ORAL CAVITY,
ESOPHAGUS, VAGINA, part of the urethra and SUPERFICIAL LAYER OF THE CORNEA.
2) STRATIFIED CUBOIDAL EPITHELIUM- consists of 2 to 3 layers of cuboidal cells.
- lines the larger ducts of major salivary glands.
3) STRATIFIED COLUMNAR EPITHELIUM – consists of 2 layers of columnar cells. Lines the large
ducts of some of glands.
4) TRANSITIONAL EPITHELIUM (UROTHELIUM) – epithelium that lines the lower urinary tract
from the minor calyces of the kidney down the proximal part of the urethra and the urinary
bladder.
- Manifests features that are in between stratified squamous and stratified cuboidal
epithelia.
- DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND STRETCHING.
- UMBRELLA CELLS – superficial cells of the transitional epithelium that bulge out into the
lumen giving the cells a dome shaped profile.
 Types of Epithelium
 Transitional Epithelium
 Non Keratinized Stratified Squamous Epithelium Lip
 Keratinized Stratified Squamous Epithelium - Skin
  SURFACE MODIFICATIONS OF EPITHELIAL CELLS
- APICAL MODIFICATIONS
1) Microvilli 3) Flagella
2) Cilia 4) Stereocilia/Stereovili
1) MICROVILLI – fingerlike cytoplasmic projections on the apical surface of epithelial cells.
- INCREASES THE SURFACE AREA OF THE EPITHELIUM
- Internal structure of the microvili contains a CORE OF ACTIN FILAMENTS that are cross
linked by several ACTIN BUNDLING PROTEINS.
 Molecular Structure of Microvilli
2) CILIA (KINOCILIA)- hairlike extensions of the apical plasma membrane containing an
AXONEME, the microtubule based internal structure.
- present in cells that are specialized for TRANSPORT OF FLUID OR MUCUS over the
surface of the epithelium.
- LONGER AND THICKER THAN MICROVILLI.
- the CORE (AXONEME) consists of a pair of centrally located microtubules surrounded
by 9 pairs of microtubules.
 CILIUM
 CILIATED EPITHELIUM- TRACHEA
CILIA ARE MOTILE
they beat synchronously in one direction propelling substances over the surface of the
epithelium.
 Molecular Structure of Cilia
 Electron Micrograph- Longitudinally Sectioned Cilia
3) FLAGELLA- are SIMPLY LONG CILIA.
- SPERMATOZOON- only cell type that possess a flagellum in humans.
- main function is to PROPEL THE SPERMATOZOON along the female genital tract.
4) STEREOCILIA- are SIMPLY MICROVILLI THAT ARE AS LONG AS CILIA.
- NON MOTILE, their CORE CONSISTS OF ACTIN FILAMENTS
- Found in cells that line the DUCTUS EPIDIDYMIS and DUCTUS DEFERENS- long tubes
that convey sperm cells from the testes to the external environment.
- Present in HAIR CELLS OF THE INNER EAR that play a role in auditory and vestibular
perception.
 Molecular Structure of Stereo Cilia
 Scanning Electron Micrograph of Stereocilia of Inner Ear Sensory Epithelium
MODIFICATIONS ON THE LATERAL SURFACES OF EPITHELIAL CELLS:
1. Zonula Occludens
2. Zonula Adherens
3. Desmosome (Macula Adherens)
4. Gap Junctions
1) ZONULA OCCLUDENS- IMPERMEABLE, allow epithelial cells to function as a barrier.
- form the PRIMARY INTERCELLULAR DIFFUSION BARRIER between adjacent cells. The
MOST APICALLY SITUATED OF THE JUNCTONAL COMPLEXES.
- zonula occludens prevent migration of lipids and specialized membrane proteins
between the apical and lateral surfaces thus maintaining the integrity of these 2 domains.
  Zonula Occludens
 Molecular Structure of Zonula Occludens
 Junctional Complexes
2) ZONULA ADHERENS- located just below the Zonula Occludens.
- Cell membranes of adjoining cells are very close to each other but neither adhere nor fuse.
They are separated by narrow intercellular space filled with extracellular material that binds the
apposed cell membranes to each other.
- REINFORCES THE ZONULA OCCLUDENS
-ZONULA ADHERENS- COMPOSED OF THE TRANSMEMBRANE CELL ADHESION MOLECULE E -
CADHERIN.
-The extracellular components of the E-cadherin molecules from adjacent cells are LINKED BY
CALCIUM IONS.
- On the cytoplasmic side the tail of E-CADHERIN is bound to CATENIN, the resulting E-cadherin-
complex binds to VINCULIN AND alpha ACTININ and is required for the interaction of cadherins
with the actin filaments of the cytoskeleton.
- MORPHOLOGIC AND FUNCTIONAL INTEGRITY OF ZONULA ADHERENS IS CALCIUM
DEPENDENT.
- E-CADHERIN-CATENIN COMPLEX- function as a master molecule in regulating cell adhesion,
polarity, differentiation, migration, proliferation and survival of epithelial cells.
 Zonula Adherens
3) DESMOSOME (MACULA ADHERENS)- situated just below the zonula adherens and other
areas on the lateral surface of epithelial cells.
-form button like or rivet like adhesions arranged in a line around the cell.
- DESMOSOMES ARE NUMEROUS IN THE EPIDERMIS OF THE SKIN
- MAJOR ANCHORING CELL TO CELL JUNCTION THAT PROVIDES A STRONG ATTACHMENT
located at the lateral domain of the cells.
- In the area of the macula adherens, transmembrane glycoproteins DESMOGLEINS AND
DESMOCOLLINS provide the linkage between the plasma membranes of adjacent cells.
- On the cytoplasmic side of the plasma membrane of each of the adjoining cells is a disc
shaped structure, the DESMOSOMAL ATTACHMENT PLAQUE and anchors the
INTERMEDIATE FILAMENTS which has a role in dissipating physical forces.
 Molecular Structure of Macula Adherens (Desmosome)
4) GAP JUNCTION – the apposed plasma membranes of adjoining cells are provided with
multiple passageways which are dumb bell shaped transmembrane proteins with a central
opening. These complexes are called CONNEXONS.
- These channels permit flow of small molecules and exchange of ions between adjoining
epithelial cells.
 Structure of Gap Junction
MODIFICATIONS ON THE BASAL SURFACES OF EPITHELIAL CELLS:
1)HEMIDESMOSOMES – in the stratum basale of the skin’s epidermis. Structurally identical to
half a desmosome.
- It helps ANCHOR THE EPITHELIAL CELLS to the UNDERLYING BASAL LAMINA.
2) BASAL INFOLDINGS OF THE PLASMALEMMA – present in some segments of the renal tubule.
- Basal infoldings increase the absorbing capacity of a cell.
  Junctional Complex
GLANDULAR EPITHELIUM – GLANDS – secretory units that produce secretions.
GLANDS- 2 categories as to where their secretions are released:
1) EXOCRINE GLANDS – deliver their secretions into the surface epithelium. They transport their
secretions to the surface epithelium by way of tubular passage ways called DUCTS.
2) ENDOCRINE GLANDS – DUCTLESS. They deliver their secretions into the blood or lymph.
 ENDOCRINE GLANDS – HORMONES – secretions that endocrine glands elaborate.
- HORMONES – are chemical substance that is carried by blood to target cells in organs or
tissues which contain appropriate receptors for it. Examples of which include adrenals
and thyroid gland.
 PARACRINE GLANDS – in some epithelia, individual cells secrete a substance that does
not reach the bloodstream but affects other cells within the same epithelium.
- Such secretory activity is referred to as PARACRINE.
- The secretory material reaches the target cells by DIFFUSION through the
extracellular space or immediately subjacent connective tissue.
- CELLS OF EXOCRINE GLANDS EXHIBIT DIFFERENT MECHANISMS OF SECRETION:
1) MEROCRINE SECRETION – secretory product is delivered in MEMBRANE BOUND VESICLES to
the apical surface of the cell. Vesicles fuse with the apical plasma membrane and extrude their
contents by exocytosis.
- MOST COMMON MECHANISM OF SECRETION and is found for example in
pancreatic acinar cells.
2) APOCRINE SECRETION – secretory product is released in the apical portion of the cell
surrounded by a thin layer of cytoplasm within an envelope of plasma membrane
- Found in lactating mammary glands & ceruminous glands.
 HOLOCRINE SECRETION – secretory product accumulates within the maturing cell which
simultaneously undergoes PROGRAMMED CELL DEATH. Both secretory products and cell
debris are discharged into the lumen of the gland.
- Found in sebaceous glands of the skin.
 EXOCRINE GLANDS CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER OF CELLS THAT COMPRISE
THEM:
1) UNICELLULAR – composed of a single cell. Simplest type of gland. Exemplified by GOBLET
CELLS found in segments of the digestive and respiratory tracts.
- GOBLET CELL – cup shaped columnar cell.
 Unicellular Glands
1) SECRETORY EPITHELIAL SHEET – surface epithelium where most of the cells are secretory.
Example is EPENDYMA – simple cuboidal epithelium that lines the choroid plexus in the brain
which produces CSf.
2) INTRA EPITHELIAL GLAND – group of secretory cells in a surface epithelium that gather
together around a small orifice that serve as a duct and forms shallow invaginations within the
epithelial surface.
- Example – epithelium lining the penile urethra
3) EXOCRINE GLANDS WITH DUCTS – glands that possess true ducts.
- Secretory units which lie underneath the epithelium are connected to the epithelial surface to
which they deliver their secretions by a duct or a system of ducts.
CLASSIFICATION OF EXOCRINE GLANDS WITH DUCTS ACCORDING TO MORPHOLOGY:
1) SIMPLE GLANDS 2) COMPOUND GLANDS
a) simple tubular a) compound tubular
b) simple coiled tubular b) compound acinar
c) simple branched tubular c) compound tubuloacinar
d) Simple alveolar/acinar
e) Simple branched acinar/alveolar
 CLASSIFICATION OF SECRETORY CELLS, ACINI AND EXOCRINE GLANDS ACCORDING TO
NATURE OF SECRETION:
1) Mucous secreting
2) Serous secreting
• MUCOUS CELLS – produce MUCUS that protects and lubricates covering epithelia.
• SEROUS CELLS – produces thin watery secretion that often contains enzymes.
• MUCOUS GLANDS – secretory units consist exclusively of mucous alveoli.
• SEROUS DEMILUNES OF GIANUZZI - crescentic cap like structures at the periphery of a
mixed alveoli formed by serous cells.
 Mixed Acinus with Serous Cells
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