Epithelia Flashcards
Characteristics of epithelia
Avascular
Closely attached to each other (with many specialised junctions)
Functionally distinct surfaces
What does the epithelial group consist of
Cells that cover the external body surfaces, line the internal closed cavities, and body tubes that communicate with the exterior
They also form secretory units &a ducts of glands
Epithelial fxs
Protection Absorption Secretion/excretion Contractility Line/cover surfaces of body Interfaces between diff bio compartment Form glands and ducts
Types of epithelia
Simple
Stratified
What is simple epithelia
One cell layer thick
Ideal for secretion diffusion absorption
Range in shape
What are stratified epithelia
2+ cell layers thick
Mostly protective fx
Classified according to morphology of surface cells
Types of simple epithelia
Squamous Cuboidal Columnar Columnar ciliated Paeudostratified columnar ciliated
Types of stratified epithelia
Squamous Squamous keratinised Cuboidal Columnar Transitional
Eg junctional complexes
Hemidesmosome
Desmosome
Tight junction
Zona adherens (adherens jctn)
Simple squamous
Found lining surfaces suitable for diffusion eg alveoli capillary walls lining of pleural pericardial peritoneal cavities
One cell layer thick
Look like fried eggs/flat
Simple cuboidal
Found lining ducts and tubules with excretory secretory or absorptive fx eg kidney tubule salivary gland pancreas
Round centrally located nucleus
Simple columnar
Line highly absorptive or secretory surfaces eg small intestines stomach gall bladder often interspersed with goblet cells
Nucleus oval shaped and basal border
Simple columnar ciliated
Found lining the oviduct cilia beat synchronised
Pseudostratified columnar ciliated aka respiratory epithelia
Found in upper respiratory tract Always ciliated Interspersed with goblet cells Nuclei not all situated at basal border Give appearance of more than one layer
Stratified squamous
Found in oral cavity, pharynx, parts of larynx, oesophagus, anal canal, uterine cervix, vagina
Protective fx withstand mech abrasion but no desiccation must be kept moist
Basal layer always cuboidal
Continual new production of cells from basal layer
Variable no of cell layers which change morphology as they move towards the surface and nuclei also become flattened toward the surface
Stratified squamous keratinised
In the skin/epidermis
Protective fx withstand mech abrasion and dessication
Process of keratinisation
As they push towards surface they mature then degenerate.
Nuclei become flattened and pyknotic so cell is dead