Epithelium

In zootomy, epithelium is a tissue composed of a layer of cells. Epithelium lines both the outside ( skin) and the inside (e.g. intestine) of organisms. The outermost layer of our skin is composed of dead squamous epithelial cells, as are the mucous membranes lining the inside of mouths and body cavities. Other epithelial cells line the insides of the lungs, the gastrointestinal tract, the reproductive and urinary tracts, and make up the exocrine and endocrine glands.

Functions of epithelial cells include secretion, absorption, protection, transcellular transport, sensation detection, and selective permeability. Endothelium (the inner lining of blood vessels) is not related to epithelium apart from by name.

Characteristics

Epithelial cells:

• Sit on a basal lamina (formerly called a basement membrane).
• Have a free surface (if a cell has all of the other properties, but no free surface, it is called an epitheliod).
• Are avascular (contain no blood vessels).
• Have almost no extracellular space.
• Renew basally.
• Are derived from all three germ layers.
• Are named for the most superficial live (nucleus-containing) layer.

Classification

Epithelial cells are classified by the following three factors: -

• Shape
• Stratification (number of layers)
• Specialization

Shape

• Squamous: Squamous cells are flat cells with an irregular flattened shape. The one-cell layer of simple squamous epithelium is a minimal barrier to diffusion. Places where squamous cells can be found include the alveoli of the lungs, the filtration of the kidneys, and the major cavities of the body. These cells are relatively inactive metabolically, and are associated with the diffusion of water, electrolytes, and other substances.
• Cuboidal: As the name suggests, these cells have a shape similar to a cube, meaning its width is the same size as its height. The nuclei of these cells are usually located in the center.
• Columnar: Simple columnar epithelium is made up of a single layer of cells that are longer than they are wide. The nucleus is also closer to the base of the cell. The small intestine is a tubular organ lined with this type of tissue. Unicellular glands called goblet cells are scattered throughout the simple columnar epithelial cells and secrete mucus. The free surface of the columnar cell has tiny hairlike projections called microvilli. They increase the surface area for absorption.
• Transitional: This is a specialized type of epithelium found lining organs that can stretch, such as the urothelium that lines the bladder and ureter of mammals. Since the cells can slide over each other, the appearance of this epithelium depends on whether the organ is distended or contracted: if distended, it appears as if there are only a few layers; when contracted, it appears as if there are several layers.

Stratification

• Simple: There is a single layer of cells.
• Stratified: More than one layer of cells. The superficial layer is used to classify the layer. Only one layer touches the basal lamina. Stratified cells can usually withstand large amounts of stress.
• Pseudostratified with cilia: This is used mainly in one type of classification (pseudostratified columnar epithelium). There is only a single layer of cells, but the position of the nuclei gives the impression that it is stratified. If a specimen looks stratified, but you can identify cilia, the specimen is pseudostratified ciliated epithelium since stratified epithelium cannot have cilia.

Specializations

• Keratinized cells contain keratin (a cytoskeletal protein). While keratinized epithelium occurs mainly in the skin, it is also found in the mouth and nose, providing a tough, impermeable barrier.
• Ciliated cells have apical plasma membrane extensions composed of microtubules capable of beating rhythmically to move mucus or other substances through a duct. Cilia are common in the respiratory system and the lining of the oviduct.
• Microvilli are extensions of the plasma membrane and are composed of microfilaments. They greatly increase a cell's surface area and thus enhance its absorptive capacity. Microvilli are found in the intestines, liver, and kidney.
• Stereocilia are very long microvilli found in the epididymis, vas deferens, and organ of Corti. Despite their name they do not share any structural or functional similarity to cilia.

Examples

• Simple squamous: Found in blood vessels & lymph channels (called endothelium) and body cavities (called mesothelium)
• Keratinized stratified squamous: Found in human skin (specifically, the dead superficial layer)
• Non-Keratinised Stratified squamous: Found in human oesophagus(Oral Mucosa) and Vagina
• Simple cuboidal: Found in thyroid follicles
• Stratified cuboidal: Exclusively found in sweat gland ducts
• Ciliated simple columnar: Found in intestine and kidney (specifically, distal convoluted tubule)
• Stratified columnar: Ducts of submandibular glands
• Transitional: Specialized to distend (stretch) as the urinary bladder fills

Junctional complexes

See junctional complex

Secretory epithelia

As stated above, secretion is one major function of epithelial cells. Glands are formed from the invagination / infolding of epithelial cells and subsequent growth in the underlying connective tissue. There are two major classification of glands: endocrine glands and exocrine glands.

Embryology

All epithelia derive from either the ectoderm or the endoderm, two embryological structures.