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TISSUES:
are aggregates or groups of cells organized to perform
one or more specific functions.

Four basic types of tissues:

EPITHELIAL TISSUES • Epithelium – covers body surfaces, lines body
cavities and forms glands
• Connective- underlies or supports the other three
basic tissues, both structurally and functionally.
• Muscle – made up of contractile cells and is responsible
for movement
• Nerve – receives, transmits, and integrates information
from outside and inside the body to control
activities of the body.

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Three principal characteristics

a. Closely apposed and adhere to one another by means of
specific cell-to-cell adhesion molecules (cell junctions)
• Avascular tissues
b. Functional and morphologic polarity: three morphologic
• Covers body surfaces, lines body cavities, and domains
constitutes glands; 1. apical domain – free surface
• As receptors for the special senses 2. lateral domain
3. basal domain
• Sheet of cells lying close together
• Have distinct biochemical, functional and structural c. Basement membrane – non-cellular,
domains that confer polarity - protein polysaccharide -rich layer
• Arises from the 3 germ layers - separates the epithelium from underlying connective
• Continuous sheet w/ little extracellular matrix tissues and blood vessels

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POLARITY OF THE EPITHELIAL CELLS POLARITY OF THE EPITHELIAL

CELLS

• APICAL DOMAIN

• LATERAL DOMAIN

• BASAL DOMAIN

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Features of Apical Surface of

Epithelium

w Microvilli: (eg.) in small intestine

§ Finger-like extensions of the plasma membrane of
apical epithelial cell
n Increase surface area for absorption

n Temporary or permanent

n BRUSH/STRIATED BORDER: seen in LM

n Terminal web : supports microvilli

composed of actin filaments w/
fimbrin & villin

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Features of Apical Surface THE APICAL DOMAIN

of Epithelium
w Cilia: (eg.) respiratory tubes Stereocilia
n Whip-like, motile extensions
n Moves mucus, etc. over epithelial surface 1-way

* Flagella: (eg.) spermatozoa

n Extra long cilia
n Moves cell

w Stereocilia (eg.) epididymis & ductus deferens

n Longer but less motile than microvilli
n Branched

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THE LATERAL DOMAIN

Contain specialized junctions that contain cell
adhesion molecules (CAMs) and restrict movement
of materials into and out of lamina.

JUNCTIONAL COMPLEX
• Membrane-associated structures that functions in cell-to-
cell attachment of columnar epithelial cells.
• Three distinct components
1. Tight Junctions (zonula occludens)
2. Anchoring Junctions
a. belt desmosomes, zonula adherens
b. desmosome (macula adherens)

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Tight junctions (zonula occludens)

• Most apical component in the junctional complex
• Formed by the fusion of the outer leaflets of cell’s plasma
membrane
• Sealing off intercellular space
• Prevents movement of substances into the intercellular
space from the lumen.
• Analogous to fascia occludens on adjacent endothelial cells
lining capillaries

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Molecular structure of Tight junctions Anchoring junctions

• Provide lateral adhesions between epithelial cells
• Cell Adhesion Molecules on both lateral and basal domain

a. Zonula Adherens aka belt desmosomes

1. surrounds the entire perimeter of epithelial cells just

basal to the tight junction
2. contains adhesion molecule “E-cadherin”
3. mat of actin filaments is located on each cytoplasmic
side
4. fascia adherens in the intercalated disks of cardiac
muscle

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Anchoring junctions b. Macula Adherens “desmosome”

a. Zonula Adherens “belt desmosomes” • Localized spotlike junction
between epithelial cells

• desmoplakins – dense plaque of

intercellular attachment proteins
on cytoplasmic surface of each
opposing cell.
• Keratin – loop into and out of
the desmoplakins
• Desmogleins and
desmocollins – transmembrane
linker glycoproteins between
adjacent cells

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Gap Junctions THE BASAL DOMAIN

• Communicating junctions or nexus A.Basal Lamina
• extracellular supportive structure
• Is not a part of the junctional complex • visible only by E.M.
• Common also in CNS, cardiac muscle, and smooth muscle • type IV collagen, laminin, entactin + perlacan, and
• Couple adjacent cells metabolically and electrically proteoglycans
• Plaquelike entity composed of channels called “ Connexons” • two zones
• Connexons – six cylindrical connexins around a central 1. lamina lucida (lamina rara) – lies next to the
channel plasma membrane
• Cell to cell channels which permit passage of ions and small 2. lamina densa – lies adjacent to the reticular lamina
molecules of deeper C.T
• Connexins alter conformation to shut off communication Basement membrane – Basal lamina + reticular
between cells lamina
-- PAS +

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Molecular components of basal lamina THE BASAL DOMAIN

B. Hemidesmosomes
“Cell-to-Extracellular Matrix Junctions”

• Mediate adhesion of Epithelial cells to the underlying

extracellular matrix
• Found in basal surface of basal cells (tracheal epithelium
and stratified squamous).
• Dense cytoplasmic plaque linked via integrins to laminins
in the basal lamina
• Type VII collagen from the basal lamina extend deeper
into the underlying connective tissue and insert into
plaques of type IV collagen.

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Function of Epithelial Tissue

Classification of Epithelial Tissue
As to Cell Shape 1. Transcellular Transport
• Squamous – width greater a. Diffusion of O2 and CO2 across the epithelial
than its height “fish scales” cells of lung alveoli and capillaries
• Cuboidal - cubes b. Carrier-protein mediated transport of amino
• Columnar – columns acids
c. Vesicle-mediated transport of IgA and other
• Transitional cell
molecules
As to number of Cell Layer/s
2. Absorption
• Simple (one layer)
Occurs via endocytosis and pinocytosis (columnar
• Stratified (many layers) epithelium of the intestines and proximal convoluted
Named for the type of cell at tubules in the kidney)
the apical surface
*pseudostratified

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Function of Epithelial Tissue

Simple Squamous Epithelium
3. Secretion • Structure
– Occurs via exocytosis (different glands produce
perspiration, oil, digestive enzymes and mucus) – Single Layer of flattened cells
• Function
4. Protection – Absorption, and filtration
– From abrasion and injury by the epithelial layer of – Not effective protection – single layer of cells.
the skin and gall bladder.
• Location
– Walls of capillaries, air sacs in lungs
5. Filtration
– Lining of Kidney tubules filtering wastes from blood – Form serous membranes in body cavity
plasma – Endothelium (lining of blood vessels)
– Mesothelium (lining of peritoneum (parietal) and
pleura (visceral)

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Simple Squamous Epithelium Simple Squamous Epithelium

Simple squamous epithelium
Mesentery (rat)silver impregnation,
350X, insert X700

Simple squamous epithelium in Pulmonary alveoli (HPO)

Simple squamous epithelium in

Bowman’s capsule
H & E, X350
endothelium

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Simple Cuboidal Epithelium Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

• Structure
– Single layer of cube shaped cells
• Function
– Secretion and transportation in glands, filtration in
kidneys
Simple cuboidal epithelium in thyroid follicle (HPO)
• Location
– Glands and ducts (pancreas & salivary), kidney
tubules, covers ovaries

Simple cuboidal epithelium in renal tubules (HPO)

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Simple Cuboidal Epithelium Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

Simple cuboidal epithelium in convoluted tubules Pancreatic duct , Human X700 Human hepatocytes , Human X450
kidney medulla (HPO) H&E H&E
Darker line of pink is basement membrane

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Simple Columnar Epithelium Simple Columnar Epithelium

• Structure
– Elongated layer of cells with nuclei at same level
• Function
– Absorption, Protection & Secretion
– When open to body cavities – called mucous membranes
• Special Features
– Microvilli, bumpy extension of apical surface, increase
surface area and absorption rate.
– Goblet cells, single cell glands, produce protective mucus.
Simple columnar epithelium in gall
bladder (HPO)
• Location
– Linings of entire digestive tract, gall bladder, oviduct,
uterus Simple columnar epithelium in small
intestines showing goblet cell (HPO)

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Simple Columnar Epithelium Pseudostratified Epithelium

• Structure
– Irregularly shaped cells with nuclei at different
levels – appear stratified, but aren’t.
– All cells reach basement membrane
• Function
– Absorption and Secretion
– Goblet cells produce mucus
– Cilia (larger than microvilli) sweep mucus
• Location
– Respiratory Linings & Reproductive tract

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Pseudostratified Epithelium Stratified Squamous Epithelium

• Structure
– Several layer of cells with :
a. flattened cells (upper layer);
b. polyhedral cells (middle layer)
c. columnar cells (basal layer).
• Types:
1. Stratified squamous non-keratinizing – flattened
surface cells retain their nuclei; found in vagina,
esophagus and tongue.
Pseudostratified ciliated Columnar epithelium (respiratory tract) 2. Stratified squamous keratinizing – flattened surface
cells lose their nuclei, form a layer of dead
keratinized cells; found in the skin

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Stratified Squamous Epithelium Transitional Epithelium

• Also known as Urothelium
• Structure
– Many layers
– Superficially located umbrella-shaped cells;
pyriform cells in the middle layer and columnar or
polyhedral cells in the most basal layer.
• Function
– Allows stretching (change size)
• Location
Stratified squamous non-keratinizing
Stratified squamous keratinizing (HPO)
– Renal pelvis, urinary bladder, ureters & proximal
(HPO)
Vagina, Human H&E 225X
1/3 of urethra.

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Transitional Epithelium Transitional Epithelium

Epithelial transition Transitional epithelium (urothelium)

Anorectal junction Urinary bladder, monkey
H&E X300 H&E X400

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Stratified Cuboidal Epithelium Stratified Columnar Epithelium

• rare
• secretion and protection
• rare • often found between simple columnar
• cube-shaped epithelia and stratified squamous
• commonly cells make up two epithelia
layers • found near salivary glands - cell lining
• protection of larger ducts -cell protects the salivary duct, goblet cells
layers surround/protect gland found between the cells
ducts • found in vas deferens where it protects
• sweat glands in the skin and aids in secretion of glands
• intestinal lining - ciliated to help move
• mammary gland in the breast
nutrients and increase absorption, also
• salivary glands in the mouth protects against pathogens/bacteria
• may be active (pump material • also form layers in ocular conjunctiva
in/out of lumen and the linings of the pharynx, anus,
uterus, urethra

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Epithelioid Tissues Glands

• Epithelial cell aggregates that lack a free surface • Originate from an epithelium
that penetrates C.T and forms
secretory units

• Secretion = protein in
aqueous solution: hormones,
acids, oils.

• Structure:
– Consists of a functional
portion (parenchyma) of
secretory and ductal
epithelial cells, which is
separated by a basal lamina
Interstitial (Leydig cells) of the testis Endocrine cells, Pancreas, human from supporting connective
Monkey, 350X H&E 450X H&E tissue elements (Stroma)

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Formation of glands from Surface Epithelia

Classification:
Based on the site of secretion:
• Endocrine glands
– No duct, release secretion into blood vessels
– Products are called hormones
– Thyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands
• Exocrine glands
– Contain ducts, empty onto epithelial surface
– Sweat glands, Oil glands, Salivary glands, Mammary glands
• Paracrine glands
-secrete into the local extracellular space

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Exocrine glands
a. Unicellular – are composed of single cell (goblet cell)
b. Multicellular – Classification is based on branching and
shaped of secretory units.
As to branching:
1. Simple – single, unbranched duct
2. Compound – branched.

As to Shape of the secretory unit:

1. tubular – straight, coiled or branched
2. Alveolar – sac-like or flask like
3. Tubuloalveolar – has both tubes and sacs in gland

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Multicellular glands secrete the following

substances:
a.Mucus – a viscous material that usually protects
or lubricates cell surfaces (e.g. goblet cells, salivary
glands, surface cells of stomach).

b. Serous – are watery and often rich in enzymes

(e.g parotid gland and pancreas)

c. Mixed secretions- contain both mucous and

serous components

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Mechanisms of Secretion
• Merocrine
– Just released by exocytosis without
altering the gland at all.
– Ex: Sweat glands and salivary glands

• Holocrine
– The gland ruptures and releases
secretion and dead cells as well.
– Sebaceous (oil glands on the face)
only example

• Apocrine
– Part of the apical cytoplasm of the Thank you for listening!
secretory cell is released along
with contents End
– Ex: Lactating mammary gland

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