Chapter 3: Epithelial Tissue Flashcards
How many main tissues are found in the body?
4
Where do the main tissues arise from?
3 germs layers of the embryo:
1. Ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm.
What are the main tissues of the body?
- Epithelial tissue (ectodermal, mesodermal, endodermal).
- Connective tissue (mesodermal).
- Muscular tissue (mesodermal).
- Nervous tissue (ectodermal).
Why is the Epithelial tissue called by its name?
Because it mostly covers the outer surfaces or lines the surfaces of cavities all over the body.
General characters of epithelial tissue
- Consists of crowded cells with minimal intercellular space between the cells.
- Upper surface is free.
- The basal surface rests on a basement membrane, which may be clear or not.
- Blood vessels and lymph vessels cannot penetrate between epithelial cells but nerves can. So, epithelium is avascular.
- It receives nutrition by diffusion from underlying connective tissue.
- High power of regeneration (renewal).
Origin of epithelial tissue
- Ectodermal: skin.
- Mesodermal: serous membrane.
- Endodermal: Gastrointestinal tract (GIT).
Epithelial tissue is classified into:
- Surface epithelium.
- Glandular epithelium.
- Neuro-epithelium.
- Myo-epithelium.
Surface epithelium
Covers or lines cavities.
Glandular epithelium
Its cells modify to give secretion.
Neuro-epithelium
It’s cells modify to act as receptors.
Myo-epithelium
Its cells have a contractile function.
Surface epithelium is divided into:
- Simple epithelium.
- Stratified epithelium.
Simple epithelium
Called simple because it is formed of one layer of cells. All cells are resting on a basement membrane.
How is simple epithelium divided?
It is divided according to shape of cells into:
1. Simple squamous epithelium.
2. Simple cubical epithelium.
3. Simple columnar epithelium.
4. Simple columnar ciliated epithelium.
5. Pseudo-stratified columnar epithelium.
Simple squamous epithelium
Formed of one layer of flat cells with flat nucleus resting on a basement membrane.
Simple squamous epithelium functions
- Smooth surface: important for easy passage of fluids and movement of organs.
- Thin membrane: helps exchange of gases.
Simple squamous epithelium sites
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1. Blood vessels.
2. Bowman’s capsule (kidney).
3. Heart.
4. Lungs alveoli
5. Serous membrane:
- Pleura.
- Peritoneum.
- Pericardium.
Simple squamous epithelium sites functions
- Blood vessels and heart: forms a smooth surface called endothelium.
- Lung alveoli: forms thin membrane for exchange of gases called pneumocytes.
- Serous membrane: form smooth surface for easy movement of organs called mesothelium.
- Bowman’s capsule: filtration of blood.
Simple cubical epithelium
Formed of one layer of cube-shaped cells with central rounded nuclei.
Simple cubical epithelium functions
- Secretion and reabsorption.
Simple cubical epithelium sites
SfC
1. Secretory acini glands:
- Follicles of thyroid glands.
2. Convoluted tubules of kidney.
Simple columnar epithelium
Formed of one layer of tall columnar cells with basal oval nucleus.
Simple columnar epithelium functions
Secretion and absorption
Simple columnar epithelium sites
Dsls
1. Digestive tract
- Stomach.
- Large intestine.
- Small intestine.
Simple columnar ciliated epithelium
Formed of one layer of tall columnar cells with basal oval nuclei.
The cells are provided with cilia.
Simple columnar ciliated epithelium functions
- Cilia can transport fluid or particles over the epithelial surface in one direction.
Simple column ciliated epithelium sites
LF
1. Lower respiratory tract (lung bronchioles): move secretions upwards.
2. Female genital system: move the ovum.
- Uterus
- Fallopian tube
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium
- A type of simple epithelium because it is formed of one cell layer and all cells rest on the basement membrane.
- Some of the columnar cells can’t reach the surface.
- The cells are very crowded so nuclei are present in more than one level. This gives the epithelium a false appearance of being stratified.
What are types of pseudostratified columnar epithelium
- Pseudostratifued columnar non ciliated epithelium.
- Pseudostratified ciliated with motile cilia and goblet cells.
- Pseudostratified columnar ciliated with non motile cilia (Stereocilia).
Pseudostratifued columnar non ciliated epithelium sites
- Male genital system:
- Vas deferens - Membranous part of male urethra
Pseudostratified ciliated with motile cilia and goblet cells sites
- Upper respiratory epithelium (respiratory epithelium)
- nose
- trachea
- bronchi
Pseudostratified columnar ciliated with non motile cilia (Stereocilia) sites
Epididymis
(Not true cilia but long microvilli)
Stratified Epithelium
Formed of more than one layer.
Stratified epithelium classification is according to?
Shape
Stratified epithelium classifications
- Stratified squamous epithelium.
- Transitional epithelium (stratified cuboidal).
- Stratified columnar epithelium.
- Stratified cubical epithelium.
Stratified epithelium main function
Protection
Stratified squamous epithelium number of layers
5-30
Transitional epithelium number of layers
- 6-8 (empty bladder).
- 3-4 (full bladder).
Stratified squamous epithelium basement membrane
Clear and wavy
Transitional epithelium basement membrane
Non clear non wavy
Stratified squamous epithelium basal cell layer
Columnar cells with basal oval nuclei.
Transitional epithelium basal cell layer
Cuboidal cells with central rounded nuclei.
Stratified squamous epithelium intermediate layers
- Polyhedral cells with central rounded nuclei.
- Cells are joined by desmosomes.
- Cells become smaller towards the surface.