Histology

Introduction and Epithelium

HISTOLOGY
HISTOLOGY: the study of tissues
- the branch of anatomy that deals with the
microscopic structure of tissues

HISTOLOGY
tissues: groups of cells that are similar in
structure & function

4 main types of tissue

1) Epithelial
2) Connective
3) Muscle
4) Nervous

All tissues are interconnected!

Epithelial Tissue

EPITHELIAL TISSUE
Also known as EPITHELIUM
Is the lining, covering, and glandular
tissue of the body

FUNCTIONS OF EPITHELIUM
1)
2)
3)
4)

Protection
Absorption
Filtration
Secretion

Characteristics of Epithelium
1) Cells fit closely together to form
continuous sheets

2) Always one unattached (free) surface or

edge
* called the apical surface

Characteristics of Epithelium
3) Lower surface of epithelial tissue rests
on a basement membrane
* thin layer of extracellular material to which
epithelial cells are attached

Characteristics of Epithelium
4) Epithelium is avascular = no blood
supply of own
blood gets to these cells by diffusion
from capillaries
5) Epithelial cells can regenerate easily
(if well nourished)

Classification of Epithelium:
Each type of epithelium has 2 names:
First part of name = # of CELL LAYERS
Second part of name = SHAPE

Classification of Epithelium:
First name:
Simple = one layer of cells, very thin
Functions: absorption, secretion, filtration
Stratified = two or more layers of cells, more
durable
Functions: protection

Classification of Epithelium:
First name:
Pseudostratified = false stratified, cells are
different heights but still one layer

Classification of Epithelium:
Second name:
Squamous = flattened, like fish scales or
floor tiles
Cuboidal = cube-shaped, like dice
Columnar = column-shaped, thinner

Classification of Epithelium:
Simple vs. Stratified
Stratified epithelia named for the cells at the
free surface of the epithelial membrane

Simple Squamous Epithelium

Single layer of flat cells resting on a

basement membrane
Location: lines air sacs of lungs, blood
vessels, lines ventral body cavity
Function: exchange of substances by
rapid diffusion, filtration, secretion

Simple Squamous Epithelium

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

Single layer of cube-shaped cells resting

on a basement membrane
Location: salivary glands; kidney; ovaries
Functions: Secretion and absorption

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

Nonciliated Simple Columnar Epithelium

Single layer of nonciliated rectangular

cells resting on a basement membrane
Location: lines digestive, respiratory,
urinary tracts
Function: Secretion and absorption

Nonciliated Simple Columnar

Epithelium
Contain absorptive and goblet cells
Absorptive cells- columnar epithelial cells with
microvilli (fingerlike projections that increase
surface area, therefore increasing the rate of
absorption)
Goblet cells- modified columnar cells that
secrete mucus
Before mucus is released, it accumulates in the
upper portion of the cell, causing that area to bulge
out and resemble a goblet or wine glass

Simple Columnar Epithelium

Epithelial membranes that line body cavities

which open to the body exterior are called
mucous membranes

Ciliated Simple Columnar Epithelium

Single layer of ciliated columnar cells

resting on a basement membrane
Location: Upper respiratory tract
Function: Moves mucus and other
substances by ciliary action

Ciliated Simple Columnar

Epithelium

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Multiple layers of cells, with squamous at

the apical surface and cuboidal or
columnar lining the basement membrane
Location: Skin, mouth, throat
Function: protection

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Stratified Cuboidal Epithelium

Two or more layers, with cube-shaped

cells at the apical surface
Location: large glands (sweat glands)
Function: secretion

Stratified Cuboidal Epithelium

Stratified Columnar Epithelium

Two or more layers of cells with

columnar shaped cells at the apical
surface
Location: large glands
Function: secretion

Stratified Columnar Epithelium

Transitional Epithelium
Modified stratified squamous epithelium

Basal layer: cuboidal/columnar

Apical surface: vary in shape

Location: urinary tract (bladder, ureters,

urethra)
Function: Cells can slide over each other
to accommodate change in organ size
Organs can stretch without rupturing

Transitional Epithelium

Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium

Single layer of ciliated

columnar cells of varying
heights resting on a
basement membrane
Location: lines respiratory
tract
Function: Secretion and
movement of mucus by
ciliary action

Pseudostratified Columnar
Epithelium

1: simple squamous

2: simple cuboidal - kidney

3: simple columnar small

intestine

4: ciliated pseudostratified
columnar - trachea

5. Stratified squamous
epithelium tongue

Glandular Epithelium
Function: secretion
Glandular cells often lie in clusters deep to
the covering and lining epithelium
A gland may consist of one cell, or a
group of highly specialized cells
They secrete substances into ducts, onto
a surface, or into the blood

Glandular Epithelium
Endocrine glands
Secretions enter extracellular fluid, then
diffuse into the bloodstream without flowing
through a duct
Secretions are hormones (regulate metabolic
and physiological activities to maintain
homeostasis)
Ex: pituitary, thyroid, adrenal glands

Glandular epithelium
Exocrine glands
Secrete into ducts that empty at the surface of
covering/lining epithelium or directly onto a
free surface
Skin or interior space (lumen) of a hollow organ

Secrete mucus, sweat, oil, earwax, milk,

saliva, digestive enzymes
Ex: sweat glands, salivary glands

Epithelium Review

1
2

5
6

Histology
What is a tissue?

Histology
tissues: groups of cells that are similar in
structure & function

Epithelial Tissue
Is the lining, covering, and glandular
tissue of the body

Functions of Epithelium
1)
2)
3)
4)

Protection
Absorption
Filtration
Secretion

Pigeons Always
Fly Straight

Characteristics of Epithelium
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Abut
Apical surface
Basement membrane
Avascular
Regenerate
Another Awesome Byrne
Anatomy Review!

Characteristics of Epithelium
1) Abut: Cells fit closely together to form
continuous sheets

2) Apical Surface: Always one unattached

(free) surface or edge

Characteristics of Epithelium
3) Basement Membrane: Lower surface of
epithelial tissue rests on
* thin layer of extracellular material to which
epithelial cells are attached

Characteristics of Epithelium
4) Avascular: no blood supply of own
blood gets to these cells by diffusion
from capillaries
5) Regenerate: Epithelial cells can
regenerate easily (if well nourished)

Simple Squamous
Specimen:
artery
Label: apical
surface,
nucleus of
squamous cell

Simple Cuboidal
Specimen:
Kidney
Label:
cuboidal cell,
nucleus

Simple Columnar
Specimen:
Small
Intestine
Label: goblet
cells

Pseudostrified ciliated columnar

Specimen:
Trachea
Label: apical
surface, cilia

Stratified Squamous
Specimen:
Skin
Label:
squamous
cell, apical
surface

Transitional
Specimen:
Urinary bladder
Label: apical
surface