Epithelia Flashcards
Tissues
A layer or group of cells that collectively perform a specific function ex. Smooth muscle, loose connective, nervous tissue, blood, columnar epithelium
Epithelium
Sheet of attached cells
Have polarity
No blood vessels
Basal Side
The area of the epithelium where it connects to the basement membrane (bottom)
Apical side
Side facing the free surface
Classify Epithelium based on # of cell layers
Simple Simple pseudo-stratified (1 layer, appears as multi-layered) Stratified (multi-layer) Transitional (urinary tract; large collecting duct of kidney or in the bladder)
Simple Squamous Epithelium
Single layer of cells Extremely flat
Mesothelium
Body Cavity Simple Squamous epithelium
Endothelium
Blood vessels Simple squamous epithelium
Simple Cubodial Epithelium
Single layer of cells Look like cubes Almost always found in the collecting duct of the kidney Height and width is the same
Simple Columnar Epithelium
Single layer of cells All anchor to the basement membrane Columnar in shape Usually have microvilli or cillia ex. intestine (microvilli) oviduct (cillia)
Simple Pseudo Stratified Epithelium
All cells touch the basement membrane but not all cells reach the free surface
Some are shorter and some are much taller
ex. Trachea
Stratified Squamous Epithelium
Cells tightly associated cells with eachother
Not all the cells are touching the basement membrane
ex. esophagus
ex. skin
Stratified Cubodial/Columnar Epithelium
Nearly always 2 cell layers
Found in larger excretory ducts or glands (salivary)
Based on the morphology of the top layer
Transitional Epithelium
Found in the bladder or the large collecting duct of the kidney
Adaptable, but similiar to stratified squamous
Top layer of cells may vary in shape
Shape ranges from a bulge to complete flattening
Basement Membrane (Component of Epithelia)
- Interface between epithelia and connective tissue
- Site of attachment for connective tissue
- Basal Lamina (TEM structure)
- Type IV Collagen + other proteins + carbohydrates (contain sugars)
- Synthesized- serves as a scaffold and filtration barrier
Stain used to detect Type IV Collagen
- Heidenhain’s Azan Stain
- Stains Type IV Collagen Blue in the basement membrane
Stain used to locate the basement membrane by light microscopy
- PAS Stain (Periodic Acid Schiff Stain)
- Carbohydrates (stain purple)
Hemidesmosomes
- Promote the adhesion of epithelial cells to the underlying basement membrane
- Attachment of cells to the extracellular matrix
- Maintenance of tissue structure and integrity
- Intermmediate filaments extend into the intracellular cytoplasm
- Connect a cell through a plaque to the basement membrane (ECM) via integrins (multi-protein complexes)
- TEM - dark dense signaling areas dispersed throughout basement membrane