EPITHELIAL TISSUES Basement Membrane

There are (4) types of tissue: Thin, fibrous, non-cellular region of

1. Epithelial tissue that separates the epithelium
2. Connective from the underlying connective
3. Muscle tissue
4. Nervous Serves as mechanical barrier
Carcinoma in situ (intact basement
Group of tissues make up an ORGAN. membrane)

Epithelial Classifications
Classified based on shape and # of
cell layers
Shape
squamous = thin, flat
cells
cuboidal = cube-
shaped cells
columnar = tall,
elongated cells
Epithelial Tissues Characteristics Number of layers
Cover body surfaces and Line simple = single layer
internal organs stratified = 2 or more
Cells are tightly packed together layers
with no space for blood vessels =
AVASCULAR
Basement membrane anchors
epithelium to underlying connective
tissue
Readily divide (ex. skin healing)
Cells are shed then replaced
by new ones
Exhibits polarity (apical and basal
surface)
Structures present in the
apex may not be present in
the base and vice versa

Simple squamous epithelium

Site where there is diffusion or
filtration
o Blood and Lymph vessels
o Lungs (Alveoli)
 o Glomerulus of the kidney
o Lining of Cavities
Common at sites of filtration,
diffusion, cover surfaces
o Air sacs of the lungs (alveoli =
gas exchange = diffusion)
o Glomerulus filtration of
blood in kidneys to remove
waste
o Walls of capillaries =
Diffusion of nutrients and Simple cuboidal epithelium
waste products Single layer of cube-shaped cells (as
o Linings of blood and lymph tall as they are wide)
vessels Secretion and absorption
o Lining of body cavities LiLiTO
Linings of kidney tubules,
Linings of ducts of certain glands
Thyroid
Ovary surface

Simple columnar epithelium

Single layer of cells that are longer
than they are wide
Absorption, secretion, protection
Gastrointestinal tract
Stomach, Small and Large
Intestines, Gallbladder
Uterus, Fallopian tube

Stratified squamous epithelium

Many layers of flattened cells
Named based on appearance of top
layer of cells
Protection especially against Friction
Outer layers of skin, linings of oral
cavity, throat, vagina, and anal canal

Transitional epithelium
Can stretch
distensibility (stretching), protection
Inner lining of urinary bladder and
linings of the ureters and part of
urethra
Urothelium
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium
appear stratified because nuclei are
at 2 or more levels
NOT stratified because all
cells touch basement mem.
protection, secretion, movement of
mucus
Linings of respiratory system
Epididymis, Vas deferens
Intercellular Adhesions
Tight Junctions/Zonula Occludens
serve as barriers to solute diffusion
in between cells
Separates cells into apical and basal
compartments
Adherens Junctions/Zonula adherens
Encircle the cells below tight
junction and provides firm adhesion
to neighboring cells
Desmosomes/Macula adheres
also provide adhesion and does not
form a belt around the cells
Gap Junctions/Communicating junctions
Serve as intercellular channels for
flow of molecules
 Which among the junctions is
composed of the following
A. Connexons???
B. Claudin???
C. Cadherins???

Associated structures with epithelium

Associated with respiratory
epithelium which is used to expel
mucus with trapped microorganisms
Goblet cells
Produced mucus
Associated with respiratory
epithelium and gastrointestinal tract
epithelium
Microvilli
Increases surface area for
absorption of substances
Stereocilia
Longer than cilia
Seen in epididymis and vas deferens
Reabsorbs the fluid needed for
sperm movement