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Activity 3

EPITHELIAL TISSUE

Despite the differences in structure and physiologic properties of all body organs, they
are made up of only four basic tissue types which are formed by cells and molecules
of the extracellular matrix (ECM). These tissues include the epithelial, connective,
muscular, and nervous tissue which exist in association with one another and in
variable proportions forming the organs. A table is presented below showing the main
characteristics of the basic tissue types.

Tissue Cell Extracellular Matrix Main Functions

Nervous Intertwining elongated None Transmission of

processes nervous impulses

Epithelial Aggregated polyhedral cells Small amount Lining of surface or

body cavities,
glandular secretion

Muscle Elongated contractile cells Moderate amount Movement

Connective Several types of fixed and Abundant amount Support and

wandering cells protection

Epithelial tissues are composed of closely aggregated polyhedral cells with small
extracellular substance. These cells have strong adhesion and are joined by cell-to-
cell junctions forming cellular sheets that covers the body surface and lines body
cavities. They also exhibit functional and morphologic polarities which are associated
with the distinct morphologic surface domains. The domains referred to are the
free/apical, lateral and basal domains. The basal surface of the epithelial tissue cells
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are contact with the adjacent connective tissue through the basement membrane. The
“basement membrane” is used to denote the Periodic-Acid Schiff- positive layer, a
combination of the basal lamina and reticular lamina, beneath the epithelia which can
be viewed with light microscopy.

Simple squamous epithelium (a) Diagram (b) Micrograph ×800; BM basement membrane E epithelial lining cells

Subclassifications of epithelium are usually based on the shape of the cells and the
number of cell layers rather than on function. Shape or forms and dimensions include
high columnar to cuboidal to low squamous (flattened). Layers are described as
simple (single layer) or stratified (multiple layers).

Simple cuboidal epithelium (a) Diagram (b) Micrograph ×400

Trasitional epithelium Micrograph x 320 Stratified squamous epithelium Micrograph ×100

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Diverse epithelial functions can be found in different organs of the body. For example,
the columnar epithelium of the stomach and the gastric glands functions for secretion;
columnar epithelium of the intestines and proximal convoluted tubules in the kidney
plays a role in reabsorption of molecules; the stratified squamous epithelium of the
skin (epidermis) and the transitional epithelium of the urinary bladder hat function for
protection.

A. Complete the following table of types of epithelium by illustrating each and

enumerating their typical locations and major functions.

TYPES OF EPITHELIUM

Some Typical Major Function

Classification (illustration)
Locations

Simple squamous

Simple cuboidal
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Simple columnar

TYPES OF EPITHELIUM

Some Typical Major Function

Classification (illustration)
Locations

Stratified squamous

Stratified cuboidal
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Stratified columnar
TYPES OF EPITHELIUM

Some Typical Major Function

Classification (illustration)
Locations

Pseudostratified

Transitional (urothelium)

Review Questions:
1. What is the definition of a simple epithelia and what are the types?
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2. What are the types of stratified epithelia?

3. Which type of epithelium is most likely to be ciliated?

B. Complete the following table of summary of junctional features.
JUNCTIONAL FEATURES

Major Link Cytoskeleton Functions

Classification
Proteins components

Zon
ula occludens
(tight junction)

Zonu la
adherens
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Ma
cula adherens (desmosomes)
JUNCTIONAL FEATURES

Major Link Cytoskeleton Functions

Classification
Proteins components

Focal
adehsion

Hemides mo
some
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Gap junction (nexus)

Review Question:

1. What is the basement

membrane?
C. Complete the table of classification of multicellular glands by illustrating the glands,
and enumerating their typical location/features.
CLASSIFICATION OF MULTICELLULAR GLANDS

Classification Typical Location Features

Simple tubular
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Simple coiled tubular

Simple branched
tubular

Simple acinar

CLASSIFICATION OF MULTICELLULAR GLANDS

Classification Typical Location Features

Branched acinar
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Compound
tubular

Compound
acinar

Compound
tubuloacinar

Page

Review Questions:

1. What are the two main types of glands?

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2. What are the modes of secretion of exocrine glands?

3. What is a simple gland?

4. What is a compound gland?