Histology Notes

Histology – the study of tissue structure
Tissue – Group of cell with similar structure and function

Epithelial tissue or epithelium (plural epithelia)
*Epi “on”
*Thele “covering or lining”
Covers the external and internal surface throughout the body
Most epithelia have:

Free Surface – not in contact with other cells
Basal Surface – adjacent to a basement membrane attaching the epithelial cells to underlying tissues
Basement Membrane – secreted partly by epithetlial cells and partly by the cells of underlying tissues
Functions of epithelia
*Protect the underlying structure
*Act as Barrier
*Permit passage of substance
*Secrete substances
*Absorb substances
Classification of Epithelia
-According to the number of cell layers and shape of the cells
According to the number of cell layers:

*Simple epithelium - Consist of single layer of cells
*Stratified epithelium – Consist of more than one layer of epithelial cells, with some cells sitting
on top of others
According to the shape of cells:

*Squamous – Flat
*Cuboidal – Cubelike
*Columnar – Tall and Thin
Simple Squamous Epithelium

 Single layer, flat, often hexagonal cells
 Nuclei appear as bumps because cells are so flat
 Functions: diffusion, filtration, some secretion, some protection against friction
 Location: lining of blood vessels of heart, lymphatic vessels, alveoli of the lungs, portions of
kidney tubules, lining of serous membranes of body cavities
Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

 Single layer of cube-shaped cells
 Some cells have microvilli or cilia
 Function: active transport and facilitated diffusion result in secretion and absorption by cells of
kidney tubules
 Function: Secretion of cells of glands and choroid plexuses
 Function: Movement of particles embedded in mucus out of the terminal bronchioles by ciliated
cells
Simple Columnar Epithelium
 Single layer of tall, narrow cells
 Some cells have cilia or microvilli
 Function: movement of particles out of the bronchioles of the lungs by ciliated cells
 Function: partially responsible for the movement of oocytes through the uterine tubules of
ciliated cells
 Function: secretion by cells of the glands, the stomach and intestine
 Function: absorption by cells of the intestine
 Location: glands and some ducts, bronchioles of the lungs, auditory tubes, uterus, uterine tubes,
stomach, intestines, gallbladder, bile ducts and ventricles of the brain
PseudoStratified Columnar epithelium

 Single layer of cells
 Some cells are tall and thin and reach the free surface, and others do not
 Nuclei of these cells are at different levels and appear stratified
 Cells are almost always ciliated and are associated with goblet cells that secrete mucus
 Single layer of cells
 Some cells are tall and thin and reach the free surface, and others do not
 Nuclei of these cells are at different levels and appear stratified
 Cells are almost always ciliated and are associated with goblet cells that secrete mucus
 Location: Lining of nasal cavity, nasal sinuses, auditory tubes, pharynx, trachea and bronchi of
the lungs
Stratified Squamous Epithelium

 Several layers of cells that are cuboidal in the basal layer and progressively flattened toward the
surface
 Function: protects against abrasion, forms a barrier against infection and reduces water loss
from the body
 Location: keratinized – outer layer of the skin
 Location: non-keratinized – mouth, throat, larynx, esophagus, anus, vagina, inferior urethra and
corneas
Transitional Epithelium
 Stratified cells that appear cuboidal when the organ or tube is not stretched and squamous
when the organ or tube is stretched by fluid
 Function: accommodates fluctuations in the volume of fluid in an organ or a tube
 Function: protects against the caustic effects or urine
 Location: lining of urinary bladder, ureters and superior urethra
Stratified Cuboidal Epithelium

 Consist of two or three layers of cuboidal cells
 It is the epithelium that often lines the larger ducts of some glands such us major salivary
Glands.
Stratified columnar Epithelium

 Consist of atleast two layers of columnar cells although sometimes the cells of the deeper layer
are cuboidal
 It lines the large ducts of some glands
Surface Modification of Epithelial cells
Most epithelial cells exhibit modifications on their apical(superficial), lateral and/or basal
surface that are necessary for the discharge of their specific functions.
Modification on apical surfaces of epithelial cells
Microvilli
 Has short and fine fingerlike extensions or processes of plasma membrane that protrude from
the apical surfaces of the cells
 Are not individually distinguishable under the LM, but in cell where they are particularly
numerous such as those that line the small intestine
 They form a fuzzy, fine certical line on the surface of the epithelium called “Striated Border”or
“Brush Border”
 Coated on their outer surface by glycocalyx.
 Core of microvillus is formed by a network of actin filaments
Cilia (Kinocilia)
 Present in the apical surfaces of the cells that are specialized for transport of fluid or mucus over
the surface of epithelium
 The core (Axoneme) of cilium consist of microtubules that run parallel to its long axis.
Flagella
 Are simply long cilia.
 In human, only one cell type possesses a flagellum,The Spermatozoon. Its has only one
flagellium which is otherwise called Tail
Stereocilia
 Are simply microvilli that are as long as cilia.
 They are non-motile and their core consist of actin filaments
 Are characteristic of the epithelial cells that line the ductus (Vas) epididymis and ductus
deferens, long tubes that help convey sperm cells from the testes to the external environment
 Also present on the hair cells of the inner ear where they play a role in auditory and vestibular
perception

Histology Notes

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Histology Notes

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Histology – the study of tissue structure

Tissue – Group of cell with similar structure and function

Most epithelia have:

According to the number of cell layers:

According to the shape of cells:

Simple Squamous Epithelium

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

PseudoStratified Columnar epithelium

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Stratified Cuboidal Epithelium

Stratified columnar Epithelium

Modification on apical surfaces of epithelial cells

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