Introduction

An epithelial tissue or epithelium consists of cells arranged in continuous sheets, in either single
or multiple layers. Epithelial tissue has many different roles, the most important are protection,
filtration, secretion, absorption and excretion. The three major functions of epithelial tissue which
acts as the selective barrier that control in and out of certain substances. It is also a secretory
surface that releases products produced by the cells onto its free surface and it protects surface
from the environment. Epithelial tissue has its own nerve supply but is avascular which means
absence of blood vessels and only relying on the blood vessels of the adjacent connective tissue
to bring nutrients and remove wastes. Exchange of the substances between an epithelial tissue and
connective tissue through diffusion. Epithelial tissue may be divided into two types: covering and
lining epithelium that forms the outer covering of the skin and some internal organs and glandular
epithelium that makes up the secreting portion of glands such as thyroid glands, adrenal glands
and sweat glands.

Discussion
The covering and lining are classified into two characteristics which is the arrangement of cells
into layers and the shapes of the cells. There are three types of arrangement of cells in layers.
Simple epithelium is a single layer of cells that functions in diffusion, osmosis, filtration ,
secretion or absorption. Secretion is the production and release of substances such as mucus,
sweat, or enzymes. Absorption is the intake of fluids or other substances such as digested food
from the intestinal tract. Next, pseudostratified epithelium appears to have multiple layers of cells
because the location of cell nucei lie at different levels and not all cells reach the apical surface; it
is actually a simple epithelium because all its cells rest on the basal membrane. Cells that do
extend to the apical surface may contain cilia; others like goblet cells secrete mucus. Stratified
epithelium consists of two or more layers of cells that protect underlying tissues in locations
where there is considerable wear and tear. For the cell shapes, squamous cells are thin, which
allows for the rapid passage of substances through them. Cuboidal cells are as tall as they are
wide and are shaped like cubes or hexagons. They may have microvilli at their apical surface and
function in either secretion or absorption. Columnar cells are much taller than they are wide, like

columns and protect underlying tissues. Their apical surfaces may have cilia or microvilli, and
they often are specialized for secretions and absorptions. Transitional cells change shape, from
squamous to cuboidal and back, as organs such as urinary bladder stretch to a larger size and then
collapse to a smaller size. ( Tortora and Derrickson ,2014)
For the human cheek cell is found in the inside of mouth and the tissure lines for is composed of
squamous epithelial cells. The cheek cells secrete a continuous supply of mucin,the principal
element of mucous. The cheek cells will divide approximately every 24 hours and are constantly
shed from the body. In combination with the salivary glands, the mucin maintains a moist
environment in the oral cavity. A sufficient moisture content must be continually sustained in
order to aid enzymes in softening food, facilitate swallowing and initiate the process of digestion.
( National High Magnetic Field Laboratory ,2015). The human simple squamous epithelium is a
single layer layer of flat cells that resembles a tiled floor when viewed from apical surface;
centrally located nucleus that is flattened and oval or spherical in shape. It is most commonly
found in the lining of cardiovascular and lymphatic system such as heart , blood vessels,
lymphatic vessel linings where it is known as endothelium and also form the epithelial layer of
serous membranes such as peritoneum, pleura, pericardium where it is called mesothelium. Also
found in Bowmans capsule of kidneys, inner surface of eardrum.It present at sites of filtration
such as blood filtration kidney or diffusion of oxygen into blood vessels of lungs and at site of
secretion in serous membrane. Not found in body areas subject to mechanical stress (wear and
tear).Furthermore, the human simple cuboidal epithelium is a single layer of cube-shaped cells :
round, centrally located nucleus. Cuboidal cell shape is obvious when tissue is sectioned and
viewed from the side. It locates at the covering of the surface of ovary, lining of anterior surface
of capsule of lens of the eye which forms the pigmented epithelium at posterior surface of retina
of the eyes, lining of kidney tubules and smaller ducts of many glands such as thyroid glands and
pancreas.The function of human simple cuboidal epithelium is secretion and absorption.For the
simple columnar epithelium is classifeied into two which is nonciliated simple columnar
epithelium and ciliated simple columnar epithelium.The slide that we observed is nonciliated
simple columnar epithelium. Nonciliated simple columnar epithelium is a single layer of
noncliated columnlike cells with oval nuclei near base of cells that contains columnar epithelial
cells with microvilli at apical surface and goblet cells. Microvilli, fingerlike cytoplasmic
projections to increase the surface area of plasma me brane an dthus increasing the cells rate of
absorption. Goblet cells are modified columnar columnar epithelial cells that secrete mucus at
their apical surfaces. It locates at the lining of the gastrointestinal tract,ducts of many glands and
gallbladder. It is mainly for secretion nd absorption.Larger columnar cells contain more

organelles and thus are capable og higher level of secretion and absorption than cuboidal cells.
Secreted mucus lubricates lining of digestive, respiratory, and reproductive tracts and most of
urinary tract. It also helps in destruction of stomach lining of gastric juice secreted by stomach.
The human pseudostratified appears to have several layers because cell nucei at various levels.
All cells are attached to basement membrane in a single layer, but some cells do not extend to
apical surface. When viewed from side , these features give false impression of a multilayered
tissue. The slide that we observed was pseudostratified nonciliated columnar epithelium contains
cells without cilia and lacks goblet cells.It locates larger ducts of many glands, epididymis and
part of male urethra.It functions in absorption and protection.
Human stratified squamous epithelium has two or more layers of cells. Cells in apical layer and
several layers deep it are squamous ,cells in deeper layers from cuboidal to columnar. As basal
cells divide, daughter cells arising from cell divisions push upward toward apical layer. As they
move toward surface and away from blood supply in underlying connective tissure, they become
dehydrated and less metabolically active. Tough proteins predominate as cytoplasm is reduced
and cells become tough, hard structures that eventually die. At apical layer, after dead calls lose
cell junctions, they are sloughed off, but they are replaced continuously as new cells emerge from
basal cells. Keratinized stratified squamous develops tough layer in apical layer of cells and
several layers deep to it. Relative amount of keratin increases in cells as they move away from
nutritive blood supply and organelles die. Nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium does not
containlarge amount of keratin in apical layer and several layers deep and is constantly moistened
by mucus from salivary and mucous glands. Organelles are not replaced. Keratinized variety
forms superficial layer of skin while nonkeratinized variety lines wet surfaces (lining of mouth,
esophagus, part of epiglottis, part of pharynx and vagina) and covers tongue. Human stratified
squamous epithelium mainly for protection against abrasion, water loss, ultraviolet radiation and
foreign invasion. Both types form the lines of defense against microbes. The human stratified
cuboidal epithelium has two or more layers of cells. The cells in apical layer are cube-shaped. It
locates at ducts of adults sweat glands and esophageal glands, part of male urethra. It is mainly
for protection, limited secretion and absorption. The basal layers in stratified columnar epithelium
usually consists of shortened, irregularly shaped cells. Only apical layer has columnar cells. It can
be found in lining part of urethra, large excretory ducts of some glands such as esophageal glands,
small areas in anal mucous membrane, part of conjunctiva of eye. It is mainly for protection and
secretion. Transitional epithelium has a variable appearance. In relaxed or unstretched state, looks
like stratified cuboidal epithelium, except apical layer tend to be large and rounded. As tissue is
stretched, cells become flatter, giving the appearance stratified squamous epithelium. Multple

layers and elasticity make it ideal for lining hollow structure such as urinary bladder subject to
expansion from a within. It lines the urinary bladder and portions of ureters and urethra. It allows
urinary organs to stretch and maintain protective lining while holding variable amounts of fluid
without rupturing. ( Tortora and Derrickson ,2014)

References
1) National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, 2015.Human Cheek Epithelial Cells. Available
at:
<https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/techniques/dic/dicgallery/cheekcellssmall.html>
[Accesed 21 Jun 2016].

2) Tortora.G.J. and Derrickson.B.,2014. Principles of anatomy & physiology. 14th

edition.United States of America: John Wiley & Sons Inc.