Epithelia and Glands Flashcards
2 main characteristics of epithelial cells
- closely apposed and adhere to one another via cell-cell adhesion junctions
- Have polarity
Describe the polarity of epithelial cells
- apical domain (free surface)
- lateral domain (surfaces that face neighboring epithelial cells)
- basal domain (attached to basal lamina
Location/catergories of epithelium
- covering the surface of the body (skin)
- Exocrine and endocrine glands
- Lines peritoneal, pleural, and pericardial cavities (mesothelium)
- likes blood and lymphatic vessels (endothelium)
functions of epithelium
*depends on location Some Guys Are Total Poop -protection (skin) -secretion (glands) -absorption (small/large intestine) -gas exchange (lung alveoli) -transport between blood and tissues (vascular endothelium)
Simple vs. Stratified epithelium
simple = one layer stratified = multiple layers
shape of epithelium
DEPENDS ON MOST APICAL SURFACE OF CELLS
squamous, cuboidal, columnar
Simple squamous
single layer and adhere closely to one another via edges
EX: meothelium (line cavities) and endothelium (vessel)
THINK: allow for diffusion
Simple Cuboidal
single row of square/low rectangular cells where the height and width of the cells are nearly the same
EX: small ducts of exocrine glands; collecting ducts in kidney`
Simple Columnar
defined rectangular outlines where the cells are taller than they are wide
- nuclei are about the same level and end to be elongated
EX: lines surface of digestive tract; founds in excretory ducts of many glands
stratified squamous
- thick, many layers of cells with nuclei sort of aligned
- deep cells (near basal laminar) are more cuboidal, surface cells are squamous
- either keratinized or non-keratinized
Keratinized stratified squamous
-thickened plasma membrane and bundles of tonofilaments (keratin intermediate filaments) in cytoplasm.
-NO NUCLEUS in keratin portion
-on open (free surfaces).. exposed to world/abrasion
-provide thickness for increased protection
EX: epidermis of skin, palm of hand/feet
tonofilaments
type of keratin intermediate filament found in keratin stratified squamous cells
Non-keratinized stratified squamous
-found on inner/moist surfaces
EX: esophagus
stratified cuboidal
- deep layers = irregular polyhedral cells that do not reach free surface
- superficial (apical) cells = cuboidal
- EX: ducts of sweat glands
stratified columnar
- deep layers = irregular polyhedral cells that do not reach free surface
- superficial (apical) cells = columnar (taller than wide)
- EX: LARGEST ducts of exocrine glands
pseudostratified columnar
- SIMPLE EPITHELIUM BU ALL OF THE CELLS DO NOT REACH THE FREE SURFACE
- nuclei NOT aligned (stratified)
- EX: goblet cell (ciliated) in respiratory system = respiratory epithelium
Transitional epithelium
- shape of superficial (apical) cells can change depending on relaxed (contracted) or distended (stretched)
- In relaxed (contracted): basal cells = cuboidal/columnar, apical cells = dome shaped
- in distended (stretched): cells look squamous because the bladder is filling
- EX ** urinary system: ureter, bladder
Apical domain location
free surface of epithelial cells; directed towards the lumen of an enclosed cavity of tube or the external environment (PART OF THE CELL THAT INTERACTS WITH THE ENVIRONMENT)
apical domain function
secretion, absorption, protection, transport of materials along the surface/into the epithelium, transduction of external stimuli via receptors
list the apical domain modifications
cilia, microvilli, sterocilia
lateral domain of epithelial cells: Location
- facing neighboring epithelial cells
- sometimes form interdigitations to increase surface area for cell-cell interactions
lateral domain of epithelial cell: function
adhesion of neighboring epithelial cells, cell-cell communication, creation of osmotic/ionic gradient
Basal domain of epithelial cell: location
- above the ECM
- associated with basal lamina and ECM adhesion junctions
Basal domain of epithelial cell: function
attach epithelium to the underlying CT (loose connective tissue)