Epithelial Tissue

Chapter 4

Anatomy and Physiology

Liberty High School

Mr. Knowles

Tissue

• Collections of specialized cells and cell products that perform a specific function.

Four Types of Tissue• Epithelial- covers exposed surfaces, lines

passageways, forms glands.

• Connective- fills internal space, structural support, storage of energy.

• Muscle -contracts for specific movements.

• Neural- carries information from one part of the body to another.

Observe my Lunch on the Front

Table!• List three functions of the

plastic bag.

Epithelial Tissue• Includes epithelia and glands.

• Epithelium- a layer of cells that forms a barrier. Epithelia- plural, many types; Epithelial is the adjective.

• Examples: surface of skin; lining of the digestive, respiratory, reproductive tracts.

Functions of Epithelia• Provide Physical Protection- protect

surfaces from abrasion, dehydration, chemical and biological agents.

• Control Permeability- regulates molecules that enter or leave through the surface.

Permeability Can Change!

CornCallus

Functions of Epithelia

• Provides Sensation- many sensory nerves; Ex: smell, taste, hearing.

• Produce Specialized Secretions- gland cells produce secretions

Some Characteristics• Cellularity: tightly bound cells with little

space between.

• Polarity: has an exposed surface- apical surface (faces exterior surface ) and an attached surface-basal surface (attached to underlying tissue). Organelles are distributed unevenly in these cell.

Characteristics• Attachment: basal surface of an epithelium

is bound to a thin basement membrane- produced by the basal surface of epithelium and underlying connective tissue.

• Avascularity: epithelia have no blood vessel; epithelial cells receive nutrients by diffusion through apical and basal surfaces.

Characteristics

• Regeneration: cells damaged or lost at the apical surface are replaced constantly.

How do epithelial cells do ALL of this?

The answer is in their structure!

Function Structure

Specialized Epithelial CellsSome epithelial cells:

a. Produce secretions.b. Help with movement of fluids over

epithelial surface.c. Help move fluids through the

epithelium.

These cells have a strong polarity (top and bottom).

Apical Surface Structures

1. Microvillus (i)- small projections of the cell; a few to many on each cell.Function: increase surface area (20X) of epithelial cell (transport specialists). Location: epithelial surfaces where there is absorption and secretion; along digestive and urinary tracts See Fig. 4-1, p. 110.

Microvilli

Apical Surface Structures2. Cilia- different internal structure than

microvilli; many, long extensions that beat in a coordinated fashion.

Function: movement of material along the epithelium.

Location: respiratory tract (mucus); fallopian tubes (egg)

Cilia

Apical Surface Structures

3. Stereocilia- similar to microvilli but longer, but cannot move.

Function: detection of vibration.

Location: male reproductive tract; receptor cells of inner ear.

StereociliaStereocilia

Show me Ciliated Epithelia in Action!

Damaged Epithelia and Emphysema

The Effects of Emphysema

Staying Together!3 Ways Epithelial Cells Stay

Together:1. Intercellular Connections2. Attachment to Basal Membrane3. Epithelial Maintenance and Repair

1. Intercellular Connections or Cell Junctions

a. Tight Junctions- fusion of cell membranes of neighboring cells.Function: block water and solutes between cells; protection.Location: near apical surfaces of cells in digestive tract-keep enzymes and acids from damaging cells underneath.

1. Intercellular Connections or Cell Junctions

b. Desmosomes- strong connections of proteins (CAMs) between cells.Function: Act as cross-braces between cells (tent ropes) to hold the shape of cells; anchor cell to it’s base.Found: basal and lateral; superficial skin and cardiac muscle cells; Ex. Dead skin comes off as sheet.

1. Intercellular Connections or Cell Junctions

c. Gap Junctions- interlocking membrane proteins (connexons) that form channels between cells.Function: allow small molecules and cations to pass between cells-coordinate functions-beating cilia.Found: lateral; cardiac and smooth muscle

Connexons or Channel Proteins

2. Basement Membrane

• A layer of protein fibers to which epithelia can attach.

• Separates epithelial layer from connective tissue.

3. Maintenance and Repair• Epithelial cells must be replaced due

to damage-bacteria, enzymes, toxic chemicals, etc.

• Use germinative cells (a type of stem cell) to replace them.

• Located in deepest layer near basement membrane.

QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

The Layers of Skin

How many kinds of epithelia are there?

Classified in Two Ways:

Number of Layers and Shape of Cell

A. Layers1. Simple- a single layer covers the B.M.

Characteristics: thin layer, fragile; no mechanical protection.

Location: lines internal passageways and compartments. Ex. Walls of blood vessels; internal surface of lungs.

Function: absorption and secretion; reduce friction in vessels.

A. Layers2. Stratified- several layers of cells cover

the B.M.Characteristics: only one layer contacts the B.M.; other layers lay on top of these cells. Location: surface of the skin; lining of the mouth.Function: protect from mechanical and chemical stress.

B. Shape1. Squamous- “scale” thin, flat cells; look

like fried eggs laid side by side.

Ex. Simple Squamous Epithelium- walls of alveoli of lung; walls of blood vessels and inner heart chamber- called Endothelium. Ex. Stratified Squamous Epithelium- surface of skin; lines mouth, etc.; provides protection.

Simple Squamous Epithelium

Apical View of Simple Squamous

Simple Squamous: Cross-Sectional View of Blood Vessel

Simple Squamous: Cross-Sectional View of Lung Alveoli

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Stratified Squamous - Cheek Cells

Stratified Squamous

Stratified Squamous-Cross Section, Lower Magnification

Stratified Squamous-Cross Section, Higher Magnification

B. Shape2. Cuboidal- hexagonal boxes; nuclei near

center of cells.Ex. Simple Cuboidal- mostly secretion and absorption; kidney tubules; salivary glands.Stratified Cuboidal- rare in body; lines the ducts of sweat and mammary glands.Transitional Epithelium- are a type of stratified cuboidal; allows expansion and contraction; lines urinary bladder.

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

Simple Cuboidal: X-Section of Kidney Tubules

Transitional Epithelium: Ureter, Lower Magnification

Transitional Epithelium: Ureter, Higher Magnification

B. Shape3. Columnar Epithelial- hexagonal

cells but taller than they are wide; “columns”; nuclei are crowded near B.M.

Ex. Simple Columnar- absorption and secretion; inside small intestine; secrete protective mucus; may have microvillie at apical surface.

Simple Columnar Epithelium

B. Shape3. Columnar-Ex. Pseudostratified Columnar- nuclei

not in same plane- appear stratified, but not. All cells contact the B.M. Found- respiratory tract- have cilia; line trachea, nasal cavity.

Stratified Columnar- rare; protective; line epiglottis and pharynx

Simple Columnar: Small Intestine (Villi)

Simple Pseudostratified

Pseudostratified Epithelium

Pseudostratified Ciliated Columnar

Stratified Columnar

Glandular Epithelia• Endocrine Glands- release secretions

into surrounding interstitial fluid; they have no ducts.

• Glands may line the digestive tract or be separate.

• Example- hormones (insulin from the pancreas)

Glandular Epithelia

• Exocrine Glands- secretions discharged onto epithelial surfaces; released into tubular passageways-ducts that empty onto surface of other epithelial tissues.

• Examples- sweat, saliva, and tears.

QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Lets’ see epithelia in action!

National Geographic magazine, November 2002

National Geographic video Skin, November 13, 2002