Epithelial

Tissue
Franz Aljon R. Danguilan, RMT
Human Histology
FrSciences
Department of Medical Laboratory
 Outline
• General concept
• Lining Epithelium
• Surface modifications
• Lateral modifications
• Glandular modifications
• Key concepts to remember
What is an epithelial tissue?
•Thin tissues that cover all the exposed surfaces
of the body.
•External skin
•Inner lining of digestive tract, secretory glands
•Lining of hollow parts of every organ such as
•Ventricular system of the brain and central
the heart, lungs, eyes, ears, the urogenital tract

canals of the spinal cord.

General characteristics
•Consists of closely packed cells
•Inside or outside lining of body areas.
• Little intercellular material.
•Avascular
•Rests on basement membrane
•High regenerative capacity,especially in epithelial
membranes, to replace continual sloughing of cells
from free surface.
Two kinds of epithelial tissue

•Lining epithelium covers outside surfaces

of the body and lines internal organs
•Glandular epithelium secretes hormones
or other products
 Lining epithelium
Subtypes (Based on layers)

1 Simple Single layer of cells

Multiple layers of cells

2 Stratified

Single layer of cells

3 Pseudostratified but appear like stratified
1 Simple

2 Stratified

3 Pseudostratified
 S P E C I F I C S U B T Y P E S

1 Simple Simple columnar

Simple cuboidal
Simple squamous

• Single layer of cells

• Direct contact with the basement
• Common apical surface.

• Alveoli of lungs, kidney, thyroid, female reproductive system and

in the digestive tract
 S P E C I F I C S U B T Y P E S

1 Simple Simple columnar

Simple cuboidal
Simple squamous

Allows for rapid diffusion

across the epithelium.

Forms the lining of blood

vessels, alveoli of the
lungs, and internal body
cavities
 S P E C I F I C S U B T Y P E S

1 Simple Simple columnar

Simple cuboidal
Simple squamous

Allows for rapid diffusion Lines, secretes and

across the epithelium. absorbs

Forms the lining of blood Forms the lining of the

vessels, alveoli of the thyroid follicle
lungs, and internal body
cavities
 S P E C I F I C S U B T Y P E S

1 Simple Simple columnar

Simple cuboidal
Simple squamous

Allows for rapid diffusion Lines, secretes and Lines, secretes and
across the epithelium. absorbs absorbs

Forms the lining of blood Forms the lining of the Forms the lining of the
vessels, alveoli of the thyroid follicle intestines and gall
lungs, and internal body bladder
cavities
 S P E C I F I C S U B T Y P E S

1 Simple Simple columnar

Simple cuboidal
Simple squamous

Kidney Thyroid Gallbladder

 1 Simple Simple columnar

Simple cuboidal
Simple squamous

Kidney Thyroid Gallbladder

 1 Simple Simple columnar

Simple cuboidal
Simple squamous

Kidney Thyroid Gallbladder

 1 Simple Simple columnar

Simple cuboidal
Simple squamous

Kidney Thyroid Gallbladder

 S P E C I F I C S U B T Y P E S

1 Simple Simple columnar

Simple cuboidal
Simple squamous

Kidney Thyroid Gallbladder

1 Simple

2 Stratified

3 Pseudostratified
 S P E C I F I C S U B T Y P E S

2 Stratified Stratified columnar

Stratified squamous Stratified cuboidal

• Only one layer is in direct contact with basement membrane.

• Only one layer of cells has the apical surface
• Protective role

• Stratified squamous epithelia are found in skin, oesophagus,

vagina
• Stratified cuboidal epithelia are found in ducts of many glands
• Stratified columnar epithelia are rare
 S P E C I F I C S U B T Y P E S

2 Stratified Stratified columnar

Stratified squamous Stratified cuboidal

Protects from physical abrasion

and prevents desiccation

1.Nonkeratinized (moist). Lining

of wet cavities, including the
mouth, esophagus, rectum, and
anal canal; surface cells are
nucleated and living.

2.Keratinized (dry). Epidermis of

the skin; surface cells are
nonliving.
 S P E C I F I C S U B T Y P E S

2 Stratified Stratified columnar

Stratified squamous Stratified cuboidal

Protects from physical abrasion

and prevents desiccation
Lines, secretes and
absorbs
1.Nonkeratinized (moist). Lining
of wet cavities, including the
mouth, esophagus, rectum, and Lines exocrine ducts
anal canal; surface cells are
nucleated and living.

2.Keratinized (dry). Epidermis of

the skin; surface cells are
nonliving.
 S P E C I F I C S U B T Y P E S

2 Stratified Stratified columnar

Stratified squamous Stratified cuboidal

Protects from physical abrasion

and prevents desiccation
Lines, secretes and Lines, secretes and
absorbs absorbs
1.Nonkeratinized (moist). Lining
of wet cavities, including the
mouth, esophagus, rectum, and Lines exocrine ducts Rare.
anal canal; surface cells are
nucleated and living. Lines exocrine ducts
2.Keratinized (dry). Epidermis of
the skin; surface cells are
nonliving.
 S P E C I F I C S U B T Y P E S

2 Stratified Stratified columnar

Stratified squamous Stratified cuboidal

Epidermis Sweat gland Parotid gland duct

 2 Stratified
Stratified columnar

Stratified squamous Stratified cuboidal

Epidermis Sweat gland Parotid gland duct

 S P E C I F I C S U B T Y P E S

2 Stratified Stratified columnar

Stratified squamous Stratified cuboidal

Epidermis Sweat gland Parotid gland duct

1 Simple

2 Stratified

3 Pseudostratified
3 Pseudostratified

• Protective function
• Cells appear stratified, or layered, because they
are so tightly packed together that their nuclei
are forced into what looks like two or more
layers.
• Most commonly found along respiratory airways.
• Cells contain cilia on their apical surface.
3 Pseudostratified

Trachea
3 Pseudostratified
3 Pseudostratified

Trachea
1 Simple

2 Stratified

3 Pseudostratified
1 Simple

2 Stratified

3 Pseudostratified

4 Transitional
4 Transitional

• Stratified epithelium
• Protective function; constructed to expand with
distension of the hollow organs it lines
• Shape of the surface cells changes (undergoes
transitions) depending on the degree of stretch.
• When a not stretched cells of the surface layers are
large and rounded.
• When stretched the cells of the surface layers are
pulled into a flatter shape.
 Surface specializations

1 Microvilli

2 Stereocilia

3 Cilia
 Surface specializations
1 Microvilli

• Collectively, are called a brush or striated

border
• Relatively nonmotile
• Increase surface area for absorption
• Prominent on cells lining the digestive tract
and proximal tubules in the kidney
 Surface specializations
1 Microvilli

Kidney Ileum
 Surface specializations
1 Microvilli

Kidney Ileum
 Surface specializations

1 Microvilli

2 Stereocilia

3 Cilia
 Surface specializations
2 Stereocilia

• Large, nonmotile microvilli; not cilia

• Contain a core of actin microfilaments

• Increase surface area

• Present on cells lining the epididymis and ductus

deferens in the male reproductive tract
 Surface specializations
2 Stereocilia

Epididymis Ductus Deferens

 Surface specializations
2 Stereocilia

Epididymis Ductus Deferens

 Surface specializations

1 Microvilli

2 Stereocilia

3 Cilia
 Surface specializations
3 Cilia

• Multiple hair-like extensions from free surface of the cell;

7–10 microns in height

• Highly motile; beat in a wave-like motion

• Function to propel material along the surface of the

epithelium (e.g., in the respiratory system and the
oviduct of the female reproductive system)
 Surface specializations
3 Cilia

Trachea Oviduct
 Surface specializations
3 Cilia

Trachea Oviduct
Membrane specialisation
on lateral surface
1 Tight junction

2 Adherens junction

3 Gap junction
 Membrane specialisation
on lateral surface
1 Tight junction
• Zonula occludens

• Belt-like, barrier junction around apex of the cell

• Provides close apposition of adjacent plasma membranes and occludes the

intercellular space

• Prevents diffusion of material between the intercellular space and the

lumen of the organ
Membrane specialisation
on lateral surface
1 Tight junction
Membrane specialisation
on lateral surface
1 Tight junction

2 Adherens junction

3 Gap junction
 Membrane specialisation
on lateral surface
2 Adherens junction

• Zonula adherens

• Epithelial cells are held together by adherens junctions.

• Lies below the tight junction

• Inside the cell, actin filaments join up the the adhesion junctions.
Membrane specialisation
on lateral surface
2 Adherens junction
Membrane specialisation
on lateral surface
1 Tight junction

2 Adherens junction

3 Gap junction
 Membrane specialisation
on lateral surface
3 Gap junction

• Intercellular channels some 1.5–2 nm in diameter.

• Permit the passage between the cells of ions and small

molecules.

• Constructed from 6 copies of transmembrane

proteins called connexins.
Membrane specialisation
on lateral surface
3 Gap junction
Glandular epithelium
Develop from lining epithelium
Formed by cells specialized to produce a fluid
secretion
Glandular epithelium forms two kinds of glands:

Secrete their substances into

1 Exocrine tubes, or ducts

Secrete hormones directly into

2 Endocrine bloodstream
Glandular epithelium
1 Exocrine

Histologically, composed from two parts:

A.Secretory portion (portio secretoria) – contains the
cells responsible for the secretory process
B.System of ducts (ductus glandulae) – transport the
secretion to the exterior of the gland
1 Exocrine
1 Exocrine Can be classified functionally
according to secretory mechanism

A. Merocrine/Eccrine

B.Apocrine

C. Holocrine
A. Merocrine/Eccrine

•Secretory product
is released by
exocytosis
• Pancreas, salivary
glands
 B.Apocrine

•Apical part of cytoplasm of the cells is lost

together with the secretory product
•Female mammary gland
 C. Holocrine

•Breakdown and
discharge of the
entire secretory
cell and its

•
product
Sebaceous
glands of the
skin
1 Exocrine Can be classified functionally
according to secretory mechanism

A. Merocrine/Eccrine

B.Apocrine

C. Holocrine
1 Exocrine Can be classified functionally
according to morphology
 Key concepts to
remember

•Epithelial tissue is one of four fundamental

tissue types
•Lining or Glandular
 Key concepts to
remember
•Lining epithelium is divided into four
subtypes
•Simple
•Stratified
•Pseudostratified
•Transitional
 Key concepts to
remember
•Specific subtype is based on
•Layers
•Shapes
•Other characteristics such as presence of
surface modifications
 Key concepts to
remember
•Glandular epithelium: invaginations of lining
epithelium
•Secretory
•Classified based on morphology or type of
secretion
 Key concepts to
remember
•Secretory mechanism
•Merocrine
•Apocrine
•Holocrine
The end