CHAPTER 4 :

Functions of Epithelial Tissues

Tissues Lecture Outline 1.Protects underlying structures
2.Acts as a barrier
Tissue 3.Permits passage of substances
4.Secreting substances
 A tissue is a group of cells with similar structure 5.Absorption of substances
and function, plus the extracellular substance
surrounding them. Classification of Epithelia 1
 Histology is the study of tissues.  Epithelial tissues are classified primarily
according to the number of cell layers and the
Types of Tissues shape of the superficial cells.
There are four tissue types in the human body:  The cell layers can be simple, stratified, or
pseudostratified.
1. Epithelial – a covering or lining tissue  The cell shapes can be squamous, cuboidal,
2. Connective – a diverse primary tissue type that columnar, or a special transitional shape, that
makes up part of every organ in the body varies with the degree of stretch.
3. Muscle – a tissue that contracts or shortens,
making movement possible Classification of Epithelia 2
4. Nervous – responsible for coordinating and  Simple epithelium consists of a single layer of
controlling many body activities cells, with each cell extending from the base
ment membrane to the free surface.
Epithelial Tissues  Stratified epithelium consists of more than one
 Epithelium, or epithelial tissue, covers and layer of cells, but only the basal layer attaches
protects surfaces, both outside and inside the the deepest layer to the basement membrane.
body.
 Included under the classification of epithelial Classification of Epithelia 3
tissue are the exocrine and endocrine glands.  Pseudostratified columnar epithelium is a
special type of simple epithelium, that appears
Epithelial Tissue Characteristics to be falsely stratified.
1.Mostly composed of cells  It consists of one layer of cells, with all the cells
2.Covers body surfaces attached to the basement membrane.
3.Has an exposed surface  Due to variations in the shape of the cells, the
4.Attaches at the basal surface epithelia appears stratified.
5.Specialized cell connections and matrix attachments
6.Avascular Classification of Epithelia 4
7.Capable of regeneration There are three types of epithelium based on
idealized shapes of the epithelial cells:
Characteristics of Epithelium 1.Squamous cells are flat or scalelike.
2.Cuboidal cells are cube-shaped—about as wide asthey
are tall.
3.Columnar cells tend to be taller than they are wide.

Simple Squamous Epithelium 1

 Simple squamous epithelium is a single layer of

thin, flat cells.
 Some substances easily pass through this thin
layer of cells, but other substances do not.
  In the lungs, simple squamous epithelium, Simple Columnar Epithelium 2
allows for gas exchange.
 In the kidneys, simple squamous epithelium,
helps filter wastes from the blood while keeping
blood cells inside the blood vessels.

Simple Squamous Epithelium 2

Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium 1

 Pseudostratified columnar epithelium secretes
mucus, which covers its free surface.
 Cilia in the airways move the mucus and
accumulated debris toward the throat, where it
is swallowed.
Simple Cuboidal Epithelium 1
 Simple cuboidal epithelium is a single layer of Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium 2
cube-like cells that carry out active transport,
facilitated diffusion, or secretion.
 They have a greater secretory capacity than
simple squamous epithelial cells.

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium 2

Stratified Squamous Epithelium 1

 Stratified squamous epithelium forms a thick
epithelium because it consists of several layers
of cells.
 Though the deepest cells are cuboidal or
Simple Columnar Epithelium 1 columnar and are capable of dividing and
 Simple columnar epithelium is a single layer of producing new cells, the naming is based on the
tall, thin cells. shape of the surface cells.
 The large size of these cells enables them to
perform complex functions, such as secretion.  There are two types of stratified squamous
 The simple columnar epithelium of the small epithelia: keratinized stratified squamous and
intestine produces and secretes mucus and nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelia.
digestive enzymes.
Keratinized Stratified Squamous Epithelium
 The outer layer of the skin is comprised of a
keratinized squamous epithelium.
 The keratin reduces the loss of water from the
body.

Nonkeratinized Stratified Squamous Epithelium

  Stratified squamous epithelium of the mouth is  The free surface can be smooth or lined with
a moist nonkeratinized stratified squamous microvilli or cilia
epithelium.  Cilia move materials over the top of the cell.
 This nonkeratinized stratified squamous  Microvilli increase surface area.
epithelium provides protection against abrasion
and acts as a mechanical barrier. Cell Connections 1
 Water, however, can move across it more readily  Cells have several structures that hold one cell
than across the skin (keratinized stratified to one another or to the basement membrane.
squamous).  These structures do three things: mechanically
bind the cells together, help form a permeability
Stratified Squamous Epithelium 2 barrier, and provide a mechanism for
intercellular communication.
 Desmosomes are mechanical links that bind
cells together.
 Hemidesmosomes are half desmosomes that
anchor cells to the basement membrane

Cell Connections 2
 Tight junctions are cell connection structures
that form barriers and anchor cells to each
other.
Transitional Epithelium 1  Structures called adhesion belts are found just
 Transitional epithelium is a special type of below the tight junctions, and help tight
stratified epithelium that can be greatly junctions anchor epithelial cells to each other.
stretched.  They prevent the passage of materials between
 The shape of the cells change as the epithelium epithelialcells because they completely
is stretched. surround each cell.
 Transitional epithelium lines cavities that can
expand greatly, such as the urinary bladder. Cell Connections 3
 It also protects underlying structures, like the  Materials that pass through an epithelial layer
urinary bladder, from the caustic effects of with tight junctions must pass through the cells,
urine. so those cells regulate what materials can cross.
 Tight junctions are found in the lining of the
Transitional Epithelium 2 intestines.

Cell Connections 4
 Gap junctions are small channels that allow
small molecules and ions to pass from one
epithelial cell to an adjacent one.
 Most epithelial cells are connected to one
another by gap junctions, and researchers
believe that molecules or ions moving through
the gap junctions act as communication signals
Free Surface Modifications to coordinate the activities of the cells.
 Most epithelia have a free surface that is not in
contact with other cells and faces away from Cell Connections 5
underlying tissues.
 The characteristics of the free surface reflect its
functions.
 Glands with secretory regions shaped as tubules (small
tubes) are called tubular, whereas those shaped in
saclike structures are called acinar or alveolar.

Simple Glands
There are several types of simple glands:
1.Simple tubular—glands forming a straight tube with
no branching of the secretory portion
2.Simple branched tubular—gland with several tubular
secretory portions branching from the single duct
3.Simple acinar—glands with a single sac-like secretory
portion
4.Simple branched acinar—glands with several acinar
secretory portions branching from the single duct
Glands 1
 Glands are secretory organs that secrete
Compound Glands
substances onto a surface, into a cavity, or into
There are several types of compound glands:
the bloodstream.
1.Compound tubular—glands with multiple ducts, each
 Glands are composed primarily of epithelium,
with a narrow tubular secretory portion
with a supporting network of connective tissue.
2.Compound acinar—glands with multiple ducts, each
 Glands with ducts are called exocrine glands.
with a several sac- like secretory portions
 Both the gland and its ducts are lined with
3.Compound tubuloacinar—glands with multiple ducts,
epithelium.
each with several tubular and acinar secretory portions
 Endocrine glands are ductless glands; they
Structure of Exocrine Glands 1
secrete their products (termed hormones) into
the bloodstream.

Structure of Exocrine Glands

 The duct is the tube that transports the
secreted material to the free surface of the
epithelium.
 The secretory portion of the gland lies deeper in
the epithelium and is composed of cells that
produce the secreted material.

 Multicellular exocrine glands can be classified

according to the structure of their ducts and
secretory regions, and mode of secretion.

Glands 2
There are 3 categories of exocrine glands:
1.Unicellular glands are composed of only a single cell.
2.Simple glands are multicellular and have a single,
nonbranched duct.
3.Compound glands are multicellular and have several
branched ducts.

Glands 3
Glands 4
  Exocrine glands can also be classified according  Macrophages are large cells that are capable of
to their modes of secretion. moving about and ingesting foreign substances,
 Merocrine secretion involves the release of including microorganisms in the connective
secretory products by exocytosis. tissue.
 Apocrine secretion involves the release of  Mast cells are nonmotile cells that release
secretory products as pinched-off fragments of chemicals, such as histamine, that promote
the gland cells. inflammation.
 Holocrine secretion involves the shedding of
entire cells. Extracellular Matrix
 The extracellular matrix of connective tissue has
Connective Tissue three major components: protein fibers, ground
 Connective tissue is a diverse primary tissue substance, and fluid.
type that makes up part of every organ in the  Ground substance consists of non-fibrous
body. protein and other molecules.
 Connective tissue differs from the other three  The structure of the matrix is responsible for the
tissue types in that it consists of cells separated functional characteristics of connective tissues
from each other by abundant extracellular —for example, they enable bones and cartilage
matrix. to bear weight.
 Connective tissue is diverse in both structure
and function. Matrix Protein Fibers
 Connective tissue is comprised of cells, protein  Three types of protein fibers—collagen,
fibers, and an extracellular matrix. reticular, and elastic—help form most
connective tissues.
 Collagen fibers, which resemble microscopic
Functions of Connective Tissue ropes, are very flexible but resist stretching.
1.Enclose and separate other tissues  Reticular fibers are very fine, short collagen
2.Connecting tissues to one another fibers that branch to form a supporting network.
3.Supporting and moving parts of the body  Elastic fibers have the ability to return to their
4.Storing compounds original shape after being stretched or
5.Cushioning and insulating compressed, giving tissue an elastic quality.
6.Transporting
7.Protecting Matrix Ground Substance
 The ground substance consists of non-fibrous
Connective Tissue Cells 1 molecules and is shapeless.
 The specialized cells of the various connective  It consists of proteoglycans, which are large
tissues produce the extracellular matrix. molecules that consist of a protein core
 The name of the cell identifies the cell attached to many long polysaccharides.
functions.  Proteoglycans trap large quantities of water
 Osteoblasts form bone, osteocytes maintain it, between the polysaccharides, which allows
and osteoclasts break it down. them to return to their original shape when
 Fibroblasts are cells that form fibrous compressed or deformed.
connective tissue, and fibrocytes maintain it.
 Chondroblasts form cartilage and chondrocytes Types of Connective Tissues 1
maintain it.  The two main types of connective tissue are
embryonic and adult connective tissue.
Connective Tissue Cells 2  By eight weeks of development, most of the
 Cells associated with the immune system, such embryonic connective tissue has become
as white blood cells, are also found in specialized to form the types of connective
connective tissue. tissue seen in adults.
 bundles and fill nearly all of the extracellular
Types of Connective Tissues 2 space.
 Loose connective tissue consists of relatively  There are two major subcategories of dense
few protein fibers that form a lacy network, with connective tissue: collagenous and elastic.
numerous spaces filled with ground substance
and fluid. Types of Connective Tissues 5
 Dense collagenous connective tissue has an
 Three subdivisions of loose connective tissue extracellular matrix consisting mostly of
are areolar, adipose, and reticular. collagen fibers.
 Areolar connective tissue primarily consists of  Dense collagenous connective tissue having the
collagen fibers and a few elastic fibers. collagen fibers oriented in the same direction is
 The most common cells in loose connective termed dense regular.
tissue are the fibroblasts.  Examples of dense regular are tendons and
ligaments.
Areolar Connective Tissue
Types of Connective Tissues 6

 Dense collagenous connective tissue having the

collagen fibers oriented in the multiple
directions is termed dense irregular.
 Examples of dense irregular are in the dermis of
the skin and in organ capsules.

Types of Connective Tissues 3 Dense Regular Collagenous Connective Tissue

 Adipose tissue consists of adipocytes, or fat
cells, which contain large amounts of lipid for
energy storage.
 Adipose tissue pads and protects parts of the
body and acts as a thermal insulator.
 Reticular tissue forms the framework of
lymphatic tissue, such as in the spleen and
lymph nodes, as well as in bone marrow and the
liver.

Adipose Tissue Types of Connective Tissues 7

 Dense elastic connective tissue has abundant
elastic fibers among its collagen fibers.
 The elastic fibers allow the tissue to stretch and
recoil.

Reticular Tissue

Types of Connective Tissues 4

 Dense connective tissue has a relatively large
number of protein fibers that form thick
  Examples include the dense elastic connective
tissue in the vocal cords.
 A genetic condition called Marfan syndrome
results from, in part the inability to properly
maintain and form elastic fibers.

Dense Regular Elastic Connective Tissue

Cartilage 3
 Fibrocartilage has more collagen than does
hyaline cartilage and is able to withstand
compression and resist tearing or pulling.
 Fibrocartilage is found in the disks between the
vertebrae (bones of the back) and in some
Cartilage 1
joints, such as the knee and temporomandibular
 Cartilage is composed of chondrocytes, located
(jaw) joints.
in spaces called lacunae within an extensive
matrix.
Fibrocartilage
 Collagen in the matrix gives cartilage flexibility
and strength.
 Cartilage is resilient because the proteoglycans
of the matrix trap water.
 Cartilage provides support, but if bent or slightly
compressed, it resumes its original shape.
Cartilage 4
Cartilage 2
 Elastic cartilage contains elastic fibers in
 There are three types of cartilage: hyaline,
addition tocollagen and proteoglycans.
fibrocartilage, and elastic cartilage.
 The elastic fibers appear as coiled fibers among
 Hyaline cartilage is the most abundant type of
bundles of collagen fibers.
cartilage and has many functions, such as
 Elastic cartilage is able to recoil to its original
covering the ends of bones, where they form
shape when bent
joints.
 The external ear, epiglottis, and auditory tube
 Also forms the cartilage rings of the respiratory
contain elastic cartilage.
tract, the nasal cartilages, and the costal
cartilages, which attach the ribs to the sternum
Elastic Cartilage
(breastbone).

Hyaline Cartilage

Bone 1
  Bone is a hard connective tissue that consists of  Skeletal muscle attaches to the skeleton and
living cells and a mineralized matrix. Osteocytes enables the body to move.
are located within lacunae.  Skeletal muscle cells are striated, or banded,
 The strength and rigidity of the mineralized because of the arrangement of contractile
matrix enables bones to support and protect proteins within the cells.
other tissues and organs.
 Two types of bone tissue exist: spongy bone and Skeletal Muscle
compact bone.

Bone 2
 Spongy bone has spaces between trabeculae or
plates, of bone and therefore resembles a
sponge.
 Compact bone is more solid, with almost no
space between many thin layers of mineralized
matrix.

Bone 3 Muscle 3
 Cardiac muscle is the muscle of the heart; it is
responsible for pumping blood.
 Cardiac muscle cells are cylindrical but much
shorter than skeletal muscle cells.
Blood 1  Cardiac muscle cells are striated and usually
 Blood is a liquid connective tissue have one nucleus per cell.
 It contains a liquid matrix, termed the plasma,  They are often branched and connected to one
along with formed elements. another by intercalated disks.
 The formed elements are erythrocytes,
leukocytes, and platelets. Cardiac Muscle
 It functions in transport of food, oxygen, waste,
hormones, and other substances.

Blood 2

Muscle 4
 Smooth muscle forms the walls of hollow
Muscle 1 organs; it is also found in the skin and the eyes.
 The main function of muscle tissue is to  Smooth muscle is responsible for a number of
contract, or shorten, making movement functions, such as moving food through the
possible. digestive tract and emptying the urinary
 Muscle contraction results from contractile bladder.
proteins located within the muscle cells.  Smooth muscle cells are tapered at each end,
 The three types of muscle tissue are skeletal, have a single nucleus, and are not striated.
cardiac, and smooth.
Smooth Muscle
Muscle 2
  Many, but not all, mucous membranes secrete
mucus.
 The functions of mucous membranes include
protection, absorption, and secretion.

Tissue Membranes 3
 Serous membranes line cavities that do not
open to the exterior of the body, such as the
pericardial, pleural, and peritoneal cavities.
Nervous Tissue 1  Serous membranes consist of three
 Nervous tissue forms the brain, spinal cord, and components: a layer of simple squamous
nerves. epithelium, its basement membrane, and a
 It is responsible for coordinating and controlling delicate layer of loose connective tissue.
many body activities.  Serous membranes do not contain glands, but
 Nervous tissue consists of neurons and support they secrete a small amount of fluid called
cells,termed glial cells. serous fluid, which lubricates the surface of the
 The neuron is responsible for conducting membranes.
electrical signals.
 It is composed of three parts: a cell body, Tissue Membranes 4
dendrites, and an axon.  Synovial membranes line the cavities of freely
movable joints.
Nervous Tissue 2  They are made up of only connective tissue and
consist of modified connective tissue cells.
 Synovial membranes produce synovial fluid,
which makes the joint very slippery, thereby
reducing friction and allowing smooth
movement within the joint.

Internal Membranes

Tissue Membranes 1
 A tissue membrane is a thin sheet or layer of
tissue that covers a structure or lines a cavity.
 Most membranes consist of epithelium and the
connective tissue on which the epithelium rests.
 There are four tissue membranes in the body:
cutaneous, mucous, serous, and synovial.
 The skin, termed the cutaneous membrane, is
an external body surface membrane.

Tissue Membranes
 The mucous membranes line cavities that open
to the outside of the body, such as the digestive,
respiratory, and reproductive tracts. Tissue Damage and Inflammation 1
 Mucous membranes consist of epithelial cells,
their basement membrane, and a thick layer of  Inflammation occurs when tissues are damaged.
loose connective tissue.
  Inflammation produces five major symptoms:
redness, heat, swelling, pain, and disturbance of
function.

Inflammation

Tissue Repair 1
 Tissue repair involves substitution of dead cells
for viable cells.
 Tissue repair can occur by regeneration or
replacement.
 In regeneration, the new cells are the same type
as those that were destroyed, and normal
function is usually restored.
 In replacement, a new type of tissue develops,
which eventually produces a scar and causes
loss of some tissue function.

Tissue Repair 3