Epithelial and Connective
Tissues
• Epithelial tissues
– Classes
– Junctions
– Glands
• Connective Tissues
– Matrix
– Cells
– Types
Human Anatomy, Larry M. Frolich, Ph.D.
4 Types of Tissue
1)Epithelium
2)Connective
3)Muscle
4)Nervous
Human Anatomy, Larry M. Frolich, Ph.D.
Tissues: groups of cells closely associated that have
a similar structure and perform a related function
• Four types of tissue
– Epithelial = covering
– Connective = support
– Muscle = movement
– Nervous = control
• Most organs contain all 4 types
• Connective tissue has non-living
extra-cellular material (matrix)
between its cells
Human Anatomy, Larry M. Frolich, Ph.D.
EPITHELIAL TISSUES
• Sheets of cells
• Specialized contacts/cell junctions (see below)
• Basal lamina: protein scaffolding secreted by
epithelial cells
• Basement membrane: reticular fibers (crossed
collagen network) that supports epithelium--
really associated connective tissue
• Connective tissue support
• Nutrients from capillaries in underlying
connective tissue
• Nerves pass through
• Easily regenerates
• E.g. skin, lining of gut, mucous membranes
Human Anatomy, Larry M. Frolich, Ph.D.
Classes of Epithelia
• Simple: just one • Stratified:
layer or cell multiple layers
shape and cell shapes
Human Anatomy, Larry M. Frolich, Ph.D.
Simple Epithelia
Type Cell shape Example
Squamous Squashed Endotheliu m (lin es blood
vessels), mesothelium
(serous lining of celom)
Cuboid al Cubed Walls of glands
Columnar Columns Linin g of gut tube;
sometimes with cilia lik e
lining of uterine tube
Pseudo-stratified Flat cells give rise With cilia in respiratory
to columns tubes to move
mucous/particles out of
lungs
Human Anatomy, Larry M. Frolich, Ph.D.
Stratified Epithelia
• Squamous • Transitional
– E.g. epidermis epithelium
– E.g. urinary
structures--bladder
– Stretches from 6
cells to 3 cells thick
as bladder fills and
expands
Human Anatomy, Larry M. Frolich, Ph.D.
Human Anatomy, Larry M. Frolich, Ph.D.
Quiz!! E
Can You Identify the
Classes of Epithelium?
D
A B
Human Anatomy, Larry M. Frolich, Ph.D.
Cell Junctions
• Desmosome: binding spots
between cells with proteins called
cadherins
• Tight junctions: impermeable
– E.g. gut tube, doesn’t let enzymes from
gut into blood stream
• Gap junctions: tubes that let small
molecules pass between cells
Human Anatomy, Larry M. Frolich, Ph.D.
Human Anatomy, Larry M. Frolich, Ph.D.
Features of Apical Surface
of Epithelium
Microvilli: (ex) in small intestine
Finger-like extensions of the plasma membrane
of apical epithelial cell
Increase surface area for absorption
Cilia: (ex) respiratory tubes
Whip-like, motile extensions
Moves mucus, etc. over epithelial surface 1-way
Flagella: (ex) spermatoza
Extra long cilia
Moves cell
Human Anatomy, Larry M. Frolich, Ph.D.
Features of Lateral Surface
of Epithelium
• Cells are connected to neighboring cells
via:
– Proteins-link cells together, interdigitate
– Contour of cells-wavy contour fits together
– Cell Junctions
• Desmosomes-adhesive spots on lateral sides
• Tight Junctions-at apical area, plasma membrane
of adjacent cells fuse, nothing passes
• Gap junction-spot-like junction occurring
anywhere, lets small molecules pass
Human Anatomy, Larry M. Frolich, Ph.D.
Features of the Basal
Surface of Epithelium
• Basal lamina: supportive sheet between
epithelium and underlying connective tissue
– Selective filter
• Basement membrane = basal lamina plus
underlying reticular fiber layer
– Attaches epithelium to connective tissue below
• Sometimes the two are used
interchangeably
Human Anatomy, Larry M. Frolich, Ph.D.
Name that Epithelial Feature!
(name and location on cell)
3
• Cilia 3
1 2 • Tight 1
junction
• Microvilli 2
• Basement 4
membrane
4
Human Anatomy, Larry M. Frolich, Ph.D.
Glands: epithelial cells that make
and secrete a water-based substance
• Exocrine Glands
– Secrete substance onto body
surface or into body cavity
– Have ducts
– E.G., salivary, mammary, pancreas,
liver
• Endocrine Glands
– Secrete product into blood stream
– Either stored in secretory cells or in
follicle surrounded by secretory cells
– Hormones travel to target organ to
increase response
– No ducts
Human Anatomy, Larry M. Frolich, Ph.D.
CONNECTIVE TISSUES
• “Areolar tissue” as model
• Universal in body
• Underlies epithelium, supports
capillaries, small nn.
• Always originates from mesenchyme
• CELLS in MATRIX
Human Anatomy, Larry M. Frolich, Ph.D.
Extracellular matrix
• Fibers
– Collagen gives structure
– Reticular fibers (crossed collagen) gives
order
– Elastin gives elasticity
• Ground substance
– Jelly-like material made of sugar-
protein molecules (proteoglycans)
Human Anatomy, Larry M. Frolich, Ph.D.
Cells of Connective Tissues
• Fibroblasts make fibers
• Immune cells in areolar tissue
– Macrophages
– Plasma cells
– Mast cells
– Neutrophils, Lymphocytes
Human Anatomy, Larry M. Frolich, Ph.D.
Human Anatomy, Larry M. Frolich, Ph.D.
“Loose” connective tissues
• Adipose tissue mostly under skin and
in mesenteries
• Reticular: organized 3-D network of
fibers that support lots of cells
– E.g. marrow, spleen, lymph nodes
Human Anatomy, Larry M. Frolich, Ph.D.
“Dense” Connective tissues
• Irregular
– Thick fibers running in many planes
– E.g. dermis, fibrous capsules around
organs
• Regular
– Aligned parallel fibers
– Resists tension
– E.g. tendon, ligaments, aponeuroses
– Sometimes with elastic fibers (e.g.
ligamentum nuchae)
Human Anatomy, Larry M. Frolich, Ph.D.
Other Connective Tissues
• Bone
• Cartilage
• Blood
Human Anatomy, Larry M. Frolich, Ph.D.
