Gen Bio
Gen Bio
Gen Bio
n your body
organs and covers internal and external surfaces in your body. It has several Given the different shapes and types of layers of epithelial cells, there can be
different structures and functions depending on where it is in your body. several types of epithelial tissue, including:
You have many different kinds of epithelial tissue throughout your body. Some •Simple squamous epithelium: This type of epithelium typically lines blood
examples of epithelial tissue include: vessels and body cavities and regulates the passage of substances into the
underlying tissue.
The outer layer of your skin (epidermis). •Simple cuboidal epithelium: This type of epithelium is typically found in
The lining of your intestines. glandular (secreting) tissue and kidney tubules.
The lining of your respiratory tract. •Simple columnar epithelium: This type of epithelium is often specialized for
The lining of your abdominal cavity. absorption and usually has apical cilia or microvilli. These cells line your
Your sweat glands. stomach and intestines.
•Stratified squamous epithelium: This type of epithelium usually has
What are the different types of epithelial cells? protective functions, including protection against microorganisms from
There are several different types of epithelial cells because epithelial tissues invading underlying tissue and/or protection against water loss. The outer layer
have many different functions depending on where they are in your body. of your skin (the epidermis) is made of stratified squamous epithelial cells.
•Stratified cuboidal epithelium: This type of epithelium is not as common
Types of epithelial cells based on their shape and is found in the excretory ducts of your salivary and sweat glands.
Different types of epithelial cells based on shape include: •Stratified columnar epithelium: This type of epithelium is not as common
and is seen in the mucous membrane (conjunctiva) lining your eyelids, where
•Squamous epithelium: Squamous epithelial cells are flat and sheet-like in it’s both protective and mucus-secreting.
appearance. •Pseudostratified columnar epithelium: This type of epithelium lines your
•Cuboidal epithelium: Cuboidal epithelial cells are cube-like in appearance, upper respiratory tract and usually has a lot of cilia.
meaning they have equal width, height and depth.
•Columnar epithelium: Columnar epithelial cells are column-like in Epithelial cells based on specialized functions
appearance, meaning they are taller than they are wide. Epithelial cells can also be categorized by the special functions they have,
including:
Types of epithelial cells based on their arrangement
Epithelial tissue can also vary based on how the cells are arranged. The •Transitional epithelium: A transitional epithelium (also known as
descriptors, or adjectives, for the way the cells are arranged, include: urothelium) is made up of several layers of cells that become flattened when
stretched. It lines most of your urinary tract and allows your bladder to expand.
•Simple: A simple epithelium means that there’s only one layer of cells.
•Stratified: A stratified epithelium is made up of more than one layer of cells. •Glandular epithelium: This type of epithelium is specialized to produce and
•Pseudostratified: A pseudostratified epithelium is made up of closely packed secrete (release) substances. It’s found in your glands, which are specialized
cells that appear to be arranged in layers because they’re different sizes, but organs that can make, store and/or release substances such as hormones,
there’s actually just one layer of cells. proteins and water.
•Olfactory epithelium: The olfactory epithelium, located within your nasal It is the most abundant and widely distributed tissue in complex
cavity, contains olfactory receptor cells, which have specialized cilia animals. It is quite diverse in structure and function, but, even so, all
extensions. The cilia trap odor molecules you breathe in as they pass across the types have three components:
epithelial surface. Information about the molecules is then transmitted from the Specialized Cells
receptors to the olfactory bulb in your brain, where your brain then interprets Ground Substance
the smell. Protein Fibers
HYALINE TISSUE - It is the most common type of cartilage that contains LYMPH - It is a fluid connective tissue located in lymphatic vessels.
only very fine collagen fibers.
ELASTIC CARTILAGE - It is more flexible than the Hyaline Cartilage and NERVOUS TISSUE
is found in the framework of the outer ear.
RED BLOOD CELLS - The red blood cells are small, disk-shaped cells
without nuclei. The absence of a nucleus makes the cells biconcave. The
presence of the red pigment hemoglobin makes them red, and in turn, makes