Epithelium Flashcards
What is the function of the epithelium?
- forms secretory tissue of glands and ducts
- specialized receptors for senses
What is the structure of the epithelium from inner to outer?
apical layer< cellular layer< basal layer
What are the interior layers of the epithelium?
- mesothelium: inside body cavities, covering internal organs
- endothelium: vascular and lymphatic system
- endocardium: inside heart
What are the characteristics of the endothelium?
- cell junctions: connect cells to basal membrane and other cells
- polarity
- basement membrane: layer under epithelium
Where is epithelioid tissue located?
endocrine glands, epithelioreticular cells, epithelium-derived tumors
What is the difference between epithelial and epithelioid tissue?
epithelial: apical free surface
epithelioid: absence of apical free surface
What defines stratified and simple cells?
apical layer of cells and number of cellular layers
What is the mucosa?
surface epithelium + basement membrane + lamina propria (loose connective tissue)
Does the mucosa have muscle?
yes
What does the mucosa line?
digestive, respiratory, and genitourinary tracts
What is the serosa?
mesothelium + basement membrane + connective tissue
Does the serosa have muscle?
NO
What does the serosa line?
body cavities (peritoneal, pericardial, pleural)
What are pseudostratified columnar cells?
not all epithelial cells reach the surface; uneven rows
What is a transitional cuboidal cell?
plenty of cells; no uniformed row
Where is a simple cuboidal cell located?
surface of ovary -> barrier (germinal epithelium)
What is the function of simple cuboidal cells?
- kidney tubules -> absorption
- thyroid tubules -> absorption
- pancreas -> absorption
What are simple cuboidal cells?
small ducts of exocrine glands
What are stratified cuboidal cells?
large ducts of exocrine glands
Where are simple columnar cells located?
in small intestine (secretory function) + reproductive system
What type of cell serves as a sensory function in the eyes?
simple columnar cell
What are the roles of simple columnar cells?
- impermeable barrier against ingested bacteria
- permeable to necessary ions
- absorbs and transports nutrients
What are stratified columnar cells classified as?
ciliated or non-ciliated
What is the secretory function of stratified columnar cells?
large ducts of exocrine glands
What can pseudostratified columnar cells be classified as?
ciliated or non-ciliated
What is the secretory function of pseudostratified columnar cells?
respiratory system
Pseudostratified columnar cells can specialize to secrete what?
mucus (goblet cells)
What are simple squamous cells composed of?
endothelium and mesothelium
What are examples of simple squamous cells?
pleura and peritoneum
What can stratified squamous cells be classified as?
keratinized and non-keratinized
Are microvilli or stereocilia motile?
NO
What type of filaments do microvilli or stereocilia contain?
actin filaments
What is the function of microvilli?
absorption -> spread apart due to myosin
What is the function of stereocilia?
absorption and sensory
What are the names for the microvilli for intestines and kidneys?
striated border = intestines
brush border = kidneys
What is the important math expression to remember for stereocilia?
9 + 0
What is the important math expression to remember for cilia?
9 + 2
What does cilia contain?
9 microtubules with dynein arms + center doublet
Where can cilia be found?
trachea, bronchi, oviducts, ependyma, sperm
What are the 3 apical modifications?
microvilli, stereocilia, cilia
What is the purpose of microtubules?
- provide movement for cilia in nondividing, dividing, and ciliated cells
- provide movement for chromosomes for cell division
What type of subunits do microtubules contain?
alpha and beta
Where are microtubules formed?
at the MTOC
What are microtubules bound by?
kinesin and dynein
What are the types of intermediate filaments?
- acidic
- basic
- vimentin-like
- neurofilaments
- lamins
- nestin
What type of ring is necessary for microtubule nucleation?
gamma tubulin
What is primary ciliary dyskinesia?
dysfunctional cilia
What is Kartagener’s syndrome?
structural ABSENCE of dynein arms
What is Young’s syndrome?
MALFORMATION of dynein arms
What are the 3 epithelial cell junctions?
lateral, basal, apical
What does the lateral domain include?
zonula occludens, macula, zonula adherens, gap junctions
What is the purpose of the lateral domain?
lateral folds -> increased lateral surface
What are the 3 types of lateral cell junctions?
- anchoring: zonula and macula adherens
- occluding/tight: zonula occuldens
- communicating: gap junctions
What are the proteins for occluding lateral junctions?
occludin, claudins, junctional adhesion molecule
What are the proteins for anchoring lateral junctions?
zonula: E-cadherins
macula: cadherins
What are the proteins for communicating lateral junctions?
connexin family
What is the one basal cell junction?
- anchoring: hemidesmosomes and focal adhesions
What is the protein for anchoring basal junction?
integrins
What is the role of occluding lateral junction?
primary intercellular diffusion barrier
What is the role of anchoring lateral junction?
mechanical stability of cells via actin or intermediate filaments
What is the role of communicating lateral junction?
direct communication between cells by diffusion
Hemidesmosomes anchor ….. filaments to ….
intermediate; basal lamina
Focal adhesions anchor …. filaments to ….
actin; basal lamina
What is clostridium perfringens?
attacks zonula occludens by binding to claudin
What is helicobacter pylori?
attacks zonula occludens by binding to occludens proteins
What is the difference between the basal lamina and the basement membrane?
basal lamina: detected by electron microscope
basement membrane: detected by light microscopy
When are endocrine glands formed?
WITHOUT contact
When are exocrine glands formed?
WITH contact
What type of gland contacts the surface?
exocrine
What are the mechanisms of exocrine gland secretion?
- merocrine: sweat; membrane bound vesicles
- apocrine: mammary; membrane + cytoplasm
- holocrine: sebaceous; entire cell breaks open
What are the types of secretion from exocrine glands?
- mucus: viscous, slimy, water-soluble
- serous: non-viscous, watery solution
- mixed: combination of mucus + serous