Tissues - Groups of cells that are similar in

structure and function.

There are four (4) major tissue types:
Epithelium (Covering)
Connective Tissue (Support),
Nervous tissue (Control)
Muscle tissue (Movement).
Tissues are organized into organs and most
organs contain several types of tissue.
Arrangement of the tissues determines each
organs structure and its capabilities.

EPITHELIAL TISSUE
This is the lining, covering and glandular
tissue of the body.
Covering and lining epithelium covers all free
body surfaces.
Some forms the outer layer of the skin.
Others dip into the body to line its cavities.
Glandular epithelium forms various glands in
the body.
Since epithelium forms the boundaries that
separate us from the outside world. Nearly all
substances secreted or absorbed by the body
must pass through the epithelium.

Functions of the Epithelium:
1. Protection skin protects against bacterial and
physical damage, respiratory tract has cilia that
sweep dusts and debris away from the lungs.
2. Absorption digestive tracts such as stomach and
intestines, which absorb food into the body.
3. Filtration the kidneys both absorbs and filters
urine.
4. Secretion a specialty of the glands, which produce
substances such as sweat, oil, digestive enzymes and
mucus.

Special Characteristics of Epithelium:
1. Epithelial cells fit closely together to form
continuous sheets. Cells are bound to each other at
many points by cell junctions: tight junctions and
desmosomes.
2. Epithelial cells always have one free surface or
edge; this is called as the apical surface an exposed
side to the external body or to the cavity of an organ.
Some are smooth and slick but some are equipped
with microvilli or cilia.
3. The lower surface of an epithelium rests on a
basement membrane a structureless material
secreted by the cells.
4. Epithelial tissue has no blood supply or avascular.
They depend on diffusion from capillaries in the
underlying connective tissue for food and oxygen.
5. Epithelial cells regenerate themselves easily if well
nourished.






Classification of Epithelium:
Name of an epithelium consist of two parts.
First name indicates the relative number or
arrangement of cell layers.
Simple epithelium one cell layer
Stratified epithelium more than one cell
l layer

Second name describes the shape of cells.
Squamous cells are flattened like fish scales
Cuboidal cells are cube-shaped like dice
Columnar cells are shaped like columns

The second name of stratified epithelium is
named after the cells at the apical surface.

I. Simple Epithelia
This most concerned with absorption,
secretion and filtration.
Protection is not a specialty of these epithelia
because they are usually thin.
A. Simple Squamous Epithelium
This is a single layer of thin squamous cells
resting on a basement membrane. This type of
epithelium usually forms membranes where filtration
or exchange of substances by rapid diffusion occurs.
This forms the walls of capillaries where nutrients
and gases pass between the cells and blood.
This forms the air sacs of the lungs where
oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged. This forms
the serous membranes or serosae, which are thin
membranes that line the ventral body cavity and
cover the organs in that cavity.


B. Simple Cuboidal Epithelium
This is a single layer of cuboidal cells resting
on a basement membrane. This is common in glands
and their duct such as the salivary glands and
pancreas.
This forms the walls of the kidney tubules
This covers the surface of the ovaries.


C. Simple Columnar Epithelium
This is made up of a single layer of tall cells.
This lines the entire length of the digestive
tract from the stomach to the anus.
This epithelium is often seen with goblet cells
which produce lubricating mucus.
This forms the mucous membranes or
mucosae, which are thin membranes that lines the
body cavities that open to the exterior of the body.



D. Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium
This is a single layer of tall cells resting on a
basement membrane but have different heights
showing their nuclei at different levels.
As a result, the epithelium gives a false
(pseudo) impression that it is stratified.
This mainly functions in absorption and
secretion.
Pseudostratified ciliated columnar
epithelium is a variety that lines most of the
respiratory tract, which has cilia that propels the
mucus upward and away from the lungs.
Goblet cells are also present which produces
mucus that traps dust and debris.



II. Stratified Epithelia
This consists of two or more cell layers.
Considered more durable than the simple
epithelia, thus this functions primarily to
protect.
A. Stratified Squamous Epithelium
* This is the most common stratified
epithelium in the body.
* This means that the cells at the
apical surface are squamous, whereas
those close to the basement membrane
are cuboidal or columnar.
* This is found in sites that receive a
good deal of abuse or friction, such as the
esophagus, the mouth and the outer portion of the
skin.