tissues of the body

1. BASIC TISSUES
(EPITHELIAL TISSUE)

2. WHAT IS A TISSUE?
 A tissue is a group of similar cells which work
together to perform a specific function in the body.
 All cells in the body can be categorized into Four (4)
major types of tissues (Basic/Primary Tissues):
1. Epithelial Tissue
2. Connective Tissue
3. Muscular Tissue
4. Nervous Tissue

3. TISSUE
 The study of tissues and how they are arranged into
organs – Histology or Microscopic Anatomy
 Aside cells, tissues are also made up of extracellular
material which surrounds the cells – Matrix
 The 4 basic tissue types differ in the types and functions
of their cells and characteristics of their matrix.
 The matrix is composed of fibrous proteins and usually a
clear gel (ground substance/ tissue fluid/ extracellular
fluid/ interstitial fluid/ tissue gel)

4. Embryonic Tissues
 The first tissues (embryonic tissues) arise in the early
embryo when similar cells organise together into
layers (3) called Primary Germ Layers.
1. Ectoderm
2. Mesoderm
3. Endoderm
 Germ layers give rise to all the body’s mature tissues

5. Embryonic Tissues
 Endoderm – Inner layer which gives rise to various
membranes of the digestive and respiratory tracts.
 Ectoderm – Outer layer which forms the outer
covering of the body (epidermis).
 Mesoderm – Middle layer that forms the skeleton
and muscles of the body.

6. TISSUE
 Body organs usually contain all four tissue types.
 Example the stomach
Lined with epithelial tissue
Walls contain smooth muscle and connective tissue
Nerve tissue supply which control motility and
gastric secretions.

7. EPITHELIAL TISSUE
(EPITHELIUM)
 Epithelial tissues are tissues which form the lining
and covering tissues of the body.
 Functions of epithelial tissues include:
1. Protection e.g. skin
2. Absorption e.g. small intestines
3. Filtration e.g. kidneys
4. Secretion e.g. glands such as salivary

8. CHARACTERISTICS OF EPITHELIAL TISSUE
1. Limited intercellular spaces
 Flat sheet of closely packed cells with very little extracellular
material (matrix) between the cells.
2. Free apical surface
 Tissue always has one free surface (apical surface) which is
exposed to the body’s exterior or to the cavity of an internal
organ.
3. Basement Membrane
 Lower surface of tissue rests on a basement membrane which
anchors the tissue to the underlying connective tissue
 Basement membrane usually very thin
 Contains an aggregate of carbohydrates and proteins

9. CHARACTERISTICS OF EPITHELIAL TISSUE
4. Avascular
 Contain no blood vessels.
 Depend on blood vessels in underlying connective tissue for
nourishment and waste removal
5. Mitotic Capabilities
 Epithelial cells readily divide to produce new cells that replace
lost or damaged ones

10. CLASSIFICATION OF EPITHELIUM
 Epithelial tissues are classified according to 3 key
criteria which describe their unique traits:
1. Number of Cell Layers
2. Shape of Cells
3. Surface modifications

11. CLASSIFICATION OF EPITHELIUM
 Number of Cell Layers:
 Two types:
1. Simple Epithelium:
 Composed of a single layer with each cell touching the basement
membrane
2. Stratified Epithelium:
 Composed of two or more layers.
 Here some of the cells rest on top of other cells and do not touch
the basement membrane.

12. CLASSIFICATION OF EPITHELIUM
 Shape of Cell:
 Three categories:
1. Squamous Epithelium:
 Flattened cells.
2. Cuboidal Epithelium:
 Cube shaped cells.
3. Columnar Epithelium:
 Elongated cells.
 Cells longer than wide.

13. CLASSIFICATION OF EPITHELIUM
 Surface Modification:
 Usually 2 types:
1. Cilia and Stereocilia:
 Cilia and stereocilia are similar filament-like structures
projecting from the apical cell surfaces.
 Cilia beat in rhythmic motions to propel substances across the
apical surfaces of cells. E.g. Fallopian tube
 Stereocilia are longer and not uniform in length and do not beat
like cilia. E.g. Epididymis and Inner Ear
2. Microvilli
 Uniform folds of the membrane on the apical cell surfaces.
 Much shorter than cilia

14. CLASSIFICATION OF EPITHELIUM
 Epithelial tissues are given at least two names.
 The first name indicates the number of cell layers
 The second name describes the shape of the cell
 Where applicable, a third name is given which
denotes the type surface modification.
 Type of surface modification is a prefix to the first two names
 Naming:
(Surface modification) – No. of layers – Shape of Cell

15. EPITHELIAL TISSUES
 Simple Epithelial:
 Usually concerned with absorption, secretion and filtration.
 Very thin and protection is not one of their specialties

16. EPITHELIAL TISSUES
 Stratified Epithelial:
 Consists of two or more cell layers.
 More durable than the simple epithelial and as such function
primarily to protect.
 Locations which have to withstand mechanical or chemical wear
 Named according to cells on the outer layer (superficial layer)
 2 Specialisations occur in stratified epithelial tissues
 1. Keratinized/ (Non- Keratinized):
 Cells in apical layers are dead and lose their nucleus and
cytoplasm and instead contain keratin
 Keratin is a tough resistant protein which is waterproof and
provides strength
 2. Transitional:

17. SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM
 Simple Squamous:
 Composed of a single layer of flattened cells.
 Usually found in areas where filtration or exchange of
substances by rapid diffusion occurs
 Forms tiny air sacs of lungs, where O2 and CO2 exchange occurs
 Forms walls of capillaries, where nutrients and waste exchange
occurs
 Forms serous membranes that line the ventral body cavity and
organs in that cavity

18. SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM
 Stratified Squamous:
 Most common type of stratified epithelium in the body
 Has many layers and plays a protective role
 Found in sites that receive a good deal of abuse or
friction e.g. oesophagus, mouth and outer part of skin.
 In the skin, stratified squamous epithelium is keratinised
 Non-keratinised found in oesophagus, rectum, vagina,
cervix

19. CUBOIDAL EPITHELIUM
 Simple Cuboidal Epithelium:
 Consists of a single layer of cube-shaped cells
attached to a basement membrane
 Commonly found in glands and their ducts
 Salivary gland, thyroid gland, pancreas
 Also forms the walls of kidney tubules and surface of
ovaries

20. CUBOIDAL EPITHELIUM
 Stratified Cuboidal Epithelium:
 Mostly found lining larger ducts of certain glands
 Mammary gland, salivary gland
 Usually has just two layers

21. COLUMNAR EPITHELIUM
 Simple Columnar Epithelium:
 Columnar cells are longer than they are wide.
 Simple columnar epithelium made up of a single
layer of tall cells that fit closely together
 Ultimate cells for absorption and secretion
 Largest cytoplasmic volumes of all epithelial cells
 Line digestive organs (stomach – Rectum)
 Have microvilli (small intestines) to increase surface area
 Line small bronchioles and uterine tubes
 Have cilia which aid in movement of mucous and reproductive
cells respectively

22. COLUMNAR EPITHELIUM
 Goblet cells
 Specialised simple columnar cells which secrete
mucous onto the free surface of epithelium

23. COLUMNAR EPITHELIUM
 Stratified Columnar Epithelium:
 Very rare
 Lines ducts of large glands (e.g. salivary)
 Parts of pharynx
 Male urethra

24. COLUMNAR EPITHELIUM
 Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium:
 Pseudo – false
 Appear to be layered but all cells touch the basement
membrane
 Nuclei appear at different heights above the
basement membrane giving false impression that it
is stratified.

25. TRANSITIONAL EPITHELIUM
 Special type of epithelium
 Change shape in response to tension
 Main locations are urinary bladder, ureters and part
of urethra
 All above sites need to stretch
 Appear to be stratified cuboidal when not stretched and as
stratified squamous when the organ is distended and tissue is
stretched
 Also known as urothelium since almost exclusively
found in the urinary system

26. TRANSITIONAL EPITHELIUM

27. GLANDULAR EPITHELIUM
 A gland consists of one or more cells that produce
and secrete a particular product
 Most glands consist primarily of epithelial tissue
 Two major types of glands develop from epithelial
tissue:
1. Endocrine Glands
2. Exocrine Glands

28. ENDOCRINE GLANDS
 Secrete products (hormones) directly into the
bloodstream
 Have no ducts (ductless)
 Examples: thyroid and adrenal gland

29. EXOCRINE GLANDS
 Have ducts
 Secretions empty through the ducts to the epithelial
surface
 Example sweat glands, mammary gland
 Glands are multicellular except goblet cells which are
unicellular
 Various ways of classifying but mainly done according to
1. Structure
2. Mode or method of secretion
3. Product or nature of secretion

30. EXOCRINE GLANDS
 STRUCTURE:
 Exocrine glands contain a glandular (secretory)
portion and a duct portion
 Based on duct portion
 Simple – Unbranched
 Compound – Branched
 Based on glandular portion
 Tubular – forms a tube
 Acinar – form a bulblike sac
 If the glandular portion is branched, the gland is
called a branched gland.

31. EXOCRINE GLAND
 STRUCTURE

32. EXOCRINE GLANDS
 MODE OF SECRETION:
 Secretory cells release products into ducts in 3
different ways
1. Merocrine
2. Apocrine
3. Holocrine

33. EXOCRINE GLAND
 MEROCRINE GLAND:
 Secretions pass through the cell membrane of the
secretory cells – through exocytosis mainly
 Most glands of this type
 Salivary, Pancreas

34. EXOCRINE GLAND
 APOCRINE GLAND:
 Apical portions of secretory cells pinched off and lost
during secretory process
 Secretory product contains a variety of molecular
components including those of membrane
 Mammary gland

35. EXOCRINE GLAND
 HOLOCRINE GLAND:
 Entire secretory cell disintegrates and released along
with the content.
 Results in most complex secretory product
 Sebaceous gland, some sweat glands located in axillae, pubic
area and around areola of breasts

36. MODE OF SECRETION

37. PRODUCT/ NATURE OF SECRETION
 Nature or product of secretion is also used to classify
exocrine glands:
1. Mucous glands
 Secrete thick mucus
 Brunner’s glands (in duodenum)
2. Serous glands
 Secrete a thinner, watery substance and usually contain enzymes
 E.g. Chief cells in stomach
3. Mixed glands
 Produce both mucous and serous secretions (have both mucous
and serous cells)
 E.g. Salivary glands (submandibular gland)