Epithelial

Ms M.
C Motshudi
E-MAIL:
mcheryl.motshudi@gmail.com
TISSUES
• What is a tissue?
• A tissue is a group of cells that have a similar

structure and they interact together to perform a
certain function.
Cell
TISSUE
TISSUES
• There are 4 main groups of tissues in Animals:
1.Epithelial
2.Muscular
3.Connective
4.Nervous
Epithelial tissue
• List the functions of epithelial tissues
• Name the basic epithelium cell types and give examples
• Describe the characteristics of epithelium cells
• Describe the specialization of epithelial tissues
• Identify (draw), describe, and give locations and functions of

the classes of epithelia
Epithelial Tissues
 Epithelial tissue is one of the four tissues which covers all

surfaces of the body which are exposed to the external
environment.
 The body’s skin is comprised of epithelial tissue
 It also lines the internal organs of the body
 Epithelial tissue is collectively various known as epithelium,

and some of its main functions are to secrete, absorb and
filter various substances. It is also involved in sensory
perception and bodily secretions
Epithelial Tissues Cont…
Structure
• Epithelial tissue covers the whole surface of the body
• The epithelial cells are contiguous and arranged in one or

more layers.
•The cells are closely packed with minimal amount of

intercellular substances and without any intercellular spaces
• Epithelial tissue that occurs on surfaces on the interior of the

body is known as endothelium
• Epithelial cells produce an extracellular matrix called the

basement membrane, which separates the epithelial tissue
from underlying tissue.
•The basement membrane is comprised of two sub-layers:

1.Basal lamina
2.Reticular lamina
•The basement membrane provides structural support for

the epithelium and also binds it to neighbouring structures
SPECIALIZATIONS
A.) Specializations of the Apical Surface

•The cell’s apical surface is on the organ’s external or
internal surface
1.Cilia: Small, membrane covered extensions of the cell
surface. Mostly concerned with movement.
2.Flagella: Movement. Spermatozoa which comes from
the seminiferous epithelia
3.Microvilli: Plasma extensions of the cell surface.
Absorption
4.Stereocilia: Not true cilia but long microvilli, absorptive
function and sensory function
SPECIALIZATIONS CONT…
B.) Specializatons of the Lateral Surface
•Cells attach to one another through intercellular
junctions
1.Zonula occludens (Tight junctions or occluding
junctions). Located near apex of cell. They seal off
intercellular space therefore allowing epithelium to isolate
certain substances.
2.Zonula adherens (Belt desmosomes). Lie just below
tight junctions
3.Macula adherens (Desmosome). Found on the
cytoplasmic surfaces of cell membrane. Stabilize
attachments
4.) Gap Junctions. Can occur anywhere on the lateral

membrane of the cell.Important in intercellular
communication.
B.) Specializations of the Basal Surface
•Surface closest to underlying blood supply
1.Basal lamina: It underlies all true epithelial tissue. It
aids in cell adhesion and assists in maintaining cell shape
2.Hemidesmosomes: Lies on inner surface of basal

plasma membrane. Help to attach cells to the basal
lamina.
3.Sodium-potassium ATPase: Located in basal regions of
cells. Transports sodium out of cell and potassium in.
Types of Epithelial Tissue
• Epithelial tissue can be divided into two groups depending on

the number of layers of which it is composes
• Epithelial tissue which is only one cell thick is known as

simple epithelium
• If it is two or more cells thick such as the skin, it is known

as stratified epithelium
Simple epithelium
• Simple epithelium can be subdivided according to the shape
and function of its cells.
Squamous (pavement) epithelium
• Squamous cells have the appearance of thin, flat plates

(resembling tiles on the floor when viewed from above)
•The shape of the nucleus usually corresponds to the cell form

and help to identify the type of epithelium
• Squamous cells are single layered and generally have a

centralized nucleus
Simple epithelium Cont…
•LOCATION: They form the lining of cavities such as the

mouth, blood vessels, heart and lungs and make up the
outer layers of the skin
•FUNCTION: Allow rapid exchange by diffusion or filtration
Simple Squamous Epithelium

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium
• Cuboidal cells are roughly square or cuboidal in shape

Each cell has a spherical nucleus which is located centrally
• LOCATION: Cuboidal epithelium is found in glands and in

the lining of the kidney tubules as well as in the ducts of the
glands as well as bronchioles of the lungs. They also
constitute the germinal epithelium which produces the egg
cells in the female ovary and the sperm cells in the male
testes
•FUNCTION: These cells are usually involved in secretion,

filtration and absorption
• Involved in secretion, filtration and absorption


Simple Columnar Epithelium

• Columnar epithelial cells occur in one or more layers of cells
that are elongated and column-shaped
•The nuclei are elongated and are usually located near the
base of the cells
• LOCATION: Columnar epithelium forms the lining of the

stomach and intestines
•FUNCTION: Some columnar cells are specialized for sensory

reception such as in the nose, ears and the taste buds of
the tongue
•They secrete mucus or slime, a lubricating substance which

keeps the surface smooth


Columnar Epithelium
Ciliated Columnar Epithelium
•These are simple columnar epithelial cells, but in addition,

they posses fine hair-like outgrowths, cilia on their free
surfaces
• These cilia are capable of rapid, rhythmic, wavelike

beatings in a certain direction
•This movement of the cilia in a certain direction causes the

mucus, which is secreted by the goblet cells, to move (flow or
stream) in that direction
Columnar Epithelium Cont…
•LOCATION: Ciliated epithelium is usually found in the air

passages like the nose. It is also found in the uterus and
fallopian tubes of females
•FUNCTION: The movement of the cilia propel the ovum to

the uterus.
Ciliated columnar epithelium

Columnar Epithelium Cont…
Ciliated columnar epithelium

STRATIFIED EPITHELIUM
•Where body linings have to withstand wear and tear, the

epithelia are composed of several layers of cells and are
then called compound or stratified epithelium.
•Stratified epithelium is composed of more than one layer of

epithelial cells
• STRATIFIED SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM
• Has more than one layer of cells and the top layer is
comprised of flat cells. The top cells are flat and scaly
and it may or may not be keratinized (i.e. containing a
tough, resistant protein called keratin)
• The mammalian skin is an example of dry,

keratinized, stratified epithelium
• The lining of the mouth cavity is an example of an

unkeratinized, stratified epithelium
• LOCATION: can be found in the lining of mouth,

vagina and oesophagus
• FUNCTION: It’s main function is protection as it is

found in areas where mechanical stress is severe

• STRATIFIED CUBOIDAL EPITHELIUM
•Consists of is more than one layer of cells and the top layer is
usually cube shaped
•LOCATION: This tissue located in the sweat glands, salivary

glands and the urethra
•FUNCTION: They protect areas such as ducts in the sweat

glands and salivary glands
• STRATIFIED COLUMNAR EPITHELIUM
•The cells of this specific rare tissue are column shaped and
are arranged in multi layers
•LOCATION: found in the pharynx and urethra
•FUNCTION: The main function is protection due to its

multilayered structure and secretion.
Stratified columnar epithelium

• PSEUDOSTRATIFIED COLUMNAR EPITHELIUM
•Consists of only one layer and the cells typically have cilia.
The columnar cells are of different lengths and their nuclei
occur at different levels
•LOCATION: This tissue is located in the respiratory organs on

the nasal septum, trachea and bronchi
•FUNCTION: They trap and move “pollutants” to the mouth

where they are swallowed
PSEUDOSTRATIFIED
COLUMNAR EPITHELIUM
Pseudostratified columnar
epithelium
TRANSITIONAL EPITHELIUM
• TRANSITIONAL EPITHELIUM
•The cells could either be cube shaped or flat, depending on

the level of stretch in the tissue. They are also called
transitional because they can undergo a change in shape
and structure. They are often binucleated.
•LOCATION: found in areas of the urinary tract such as the

bladder
•FUNCTION: The main function of the transitional epithelium is

distension due to their ability to change shape
TRANSITIONAL EPITHELIUM
GLANDULAR EPITHELIUM
Glandular Epithelium
• Columnar epithelium with goblet cells is called glandular
epithelium
• Some parts of the glandular epithelium consist of such a

large number of goblet cells that there are only a few normal
epithelial cells left.
• Columnar and cuboidal epithelial cells often become

specialized as gland cells which are capable of synthesizing
and secreting certain substances such as enzymes,
hormones, milk, mucus, sweat, wax and saliva
May be grouped according to mode of Secretion, Type of
Secretion and structure of gland.
•Mode of Secretion:
•Merocrine: Exocytosis.
•Porcine: Pinching off small vesicles and cytoplasm from cells.
•Holocrine: Cell bursts to release secretion.

May be grouped according to mode of Secretion, Type of

Secretion and structure of gland.
•Type of Secretion:
Exocrine glands: Develop from epithelium surface and keep
their connection, they secrete onto surface or into duct.
1.Serous- secrete watery solution
2.Mucous- protein and water
3.Mixed- mucous and serous
Endocrine glands: Lost connections with epithelium surface.

Secretions directly absorbed by blood vessels
•By Structure:
•Unicellular glands consist of single, isolated glandular cells

such as the goblet cells
•Sometimes a portion of the epithelial tissue becomes
invaginated and a multicellular gland is formed.
Multicellular glands are composed of clusters of cells.
Most glands are multicellular including the salivary glands
Glandular epithelium
Functions of Epithelial Tissue
Protection: Epithelial cells from the skin protect underlying

tissue from mechanical injury, harmful chemicals, invading
bacteria and from excessive loss of water
Sensation: Sensory stimuli penetrate specialised epithelial

cells. Specialised epithelial tissue containing sensory nerve
endings is found in the skin, eyes, ears, nose and on the
tongue
Secretion: In glands, epithelial tissue is specialised to secrete

specific chemical substances such as enzymes, hormones and
lubricating fluids
Functions of Epithelial Tissue Cont...
Absorption: Certain epithelial cells lining the small intestine
absorb nutrients from the digestion of food
Excretion: Epithelial tissues in the kidney excrete waste

products from the body and reabsorb needed materials from
the urine. Sweat is also excreted from the body by epithelial
cells in the sweat glands
Diffusion: Simple epithelium promotes the diffusion of gases,

liquids and nutrients. Because they form such a thin lining, they
are ideal for the diffusion of gases (eg. walls of capillaries and
lungs).
Functions of Epithelial Tissue Cont...
Cleaning: Ciliated epithelium assists in removing dust particles

and foreign bodies which have entered the air passages
Reduces Friction: The smooth, tightly-interlocking, epithelial

cells that line the entire circulatory system reduce friction
between the blood and the walls of the blood vessels
Function Type of Tissue Location
Protection Squamous - Mouth
Stratified Columnar - Mammalian Skin
Sensation Columnar Eyes, ears, nose and tongue
Secretion Cuboidal Glands

Glandular Columnar
Absorption Columnar Small intestines
Excretion Cuboidal Kidney
Diffusion Squamous Lung and capillaries
Cleaning Ciliated Columnar Nose/ Air passages

Uterus and fallopian tubes
Reduces friction Squamous Circulatory system

Epithelial

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Ms M.

• A tissue is a group of cells that have a similar

• There are 4 main groups of tissues in Animals:

• List the functions of epithelial tissues

• Name the basic epithelium cell types and give examples

• Describe the characteristics of epithelium cells

• Describe the specialization of epithelial tissues

• Identify (draw), describe, and give locations and functions of

 Epithelial tissue is one of the four tissues which covers all

 It also lines the internal organs of the body

 Epithelial tissue is collectively various known as epithelium,

• Epithelial tissue covers the whole surface of the body

• The epithelial cells are contiguous and arranged in one or

•The cells are closely packed with minimal amount of

• Epithelial tissue that occurs on surfaces on the interior of the

• Epithelial cells produce an extracellular matrix called the

•The basement membrane is comprised of two sub-layers:

•The basement membrane provides structural support for

A.) Specializations of the Apical Surface

4.) Gap Junctions. Can occur anywhere on the lateral

2.Hemidesmosomes: Lies on inner surface of basal

• Epithelial tissue can be divided into two groups depending on

• Epithelial tissue which is only one cell thick is known as

• If it is two or more cells thick such as the skin, it is known

Squamous (pavement) epithelium

• Squamous cells have the appearance of thin, flat plates

•The shape of the nucleus usually corresponds to the cell form

• Squamous cells are single layered and generally have a

•LOCATION: They form the lining of cavities such as the

•FUNCTION: Allow rapid exchange by diffusion or filtration

Simple Squamous Epithelium

• Cuboidal cells are roughly square or cuboidal in shape

• LOCATION: Cuboidal epithelium is found in glands and in

•FUNCTION: These cells are usually involved in secretion,

• Involved in secretion, filtration and absorption

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

Simple Columnar Epithelium

• LOCATION: Columnar epithelium forms the lining of the

•FUNCTION: Some columnar cells are specialized for sensory

•They secrete mucus or slime, a lubricating substance which

Simple Columnar Epithelium

Simple Columnar Epithelium

Ciliated Columnar Epithelium

•These are simple columnar epithelial cells, but in addition,

• These cilia are capable of rapid, rhythmic, wavelike

•This movement of the cilia in a certain direction causes the

•LOCATION: Ciliated epithelium is usually found in the air

•FUNCTION: The movement of the cilia propel the ovum to

Ciliated columnar epithelium

Ciliated columnar epithelium

•Where body linings have to withstand wear and tear, the

•Stratified epithelium is composed of more than one layer of

• The mammalian skin is an example of dry,

• The lining of the mouth cavity is an example of an

• STRATIFIED SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM

• LOCATION: can be found in the lining of mouth,

• FUNCTION: It’s main function is protection as it is

• STRATIFIED SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM