Histology Study of cells, tissues and organs as seen with the help of microscope Study

Histology Often called Microscopic Anatomy Greek word – Histos= tissue Logia=science/study Cells work together in functionally related groups called tissues 4 basic type of tissues: Epithelial – lining and covering Connective – support Muscle – movement Nervous – control

Epithelial Tissue or Epithelium Consist of sheets of cells Covers a external surface of the body May line the internal cavities and the organs Forms most organs & glands

Special Characteristics of Epithelia Cellularity – cells are in close contact with each other with little or no intercellular space between them Specialized contacts: Junctional Complexes – may have junctions for both attachment and communication

Special Characteristics of Epithelia Polarity – epithelial tissues always have an apical and basal surface Support by connective tissue – at the basal surface, both the epithelial tissue and the connective tissue contribute to the basement membrane Avascular..No blood vessel, no lymphatics – nutrients must diffuse

Special Characteristics of Epit Innervated Regeneration – epithelial tissues have a high capacity for regeneration Invaginates and grows in the underlying CT..specializing as glands Apical surface shows modification: presence of cilia or microvilli Nuclear shape corresponds to the cell shape: oval in columnar,round in cuboidal or polyhedral and flat in squamous cells

Functions Functions of epithelium – Protection – Absorption, – May secrete material and ion transport – Filtration – Forms slippery surfaces – Function as sensory surfaces

Embryologically Epithelia are derived from all the 3 germ layers: EctodermEpithelium of skin EndodermEpithelium of gut MesodermEpithelium of pericardial, peritoneal and pleural cavities

Basement Membrane All cells rest on it. Thin, non-cellular Separates epithelium from underlying connective tissue Easily seen with light microscope Made up of: Basal Lamina-Amorphous, product of epithelium Reticular Lamina-Reticular fibres, product of CT

Basement Membrane The epithelial cells lie on the reticular lamina (collagen – CT) Reticular lamina is bound to another CT called areolar CT. Together this structure is called the "basement membrane”

Basal Feature: The Basal Lamina Noncellular supporting sheet between the epithelium and the connective tissue deep to it Consists of proteins secreted by the epithelial cells Functions: – Acts as a selective filter, determining which molecules from capillaries enter the epithelium – Acts as scaffolding along which regenerating epithelial cells can migrate Basal lamina and reticular layers of the underlying connective tissue deep to it form the basement membrane

Intercellular Junctions OR Junctional Complexes Zonula occludens (Tight Junctions) Zonula adherens Macula adherens (Desmosome) and hemidesmosome Gap junction (Nexus)

Lateral Surface Features Factors holding epithelial cells together – Adhesion proteins link plasma membranes of adjacent cells – Contours of adjacent cell membranes – Special cell junctions

Tight junctions (zona occludens) – close off intercellular space – Found at apical region of most epithelial types – Some proteins in plasma membrane of adjacent cells are fused – Prevent molecules from passing between cells of epithelial tissue…..Serves as a SELECTIVE BARRIER, giving it a sealing effect. – Example- Intestine and urinary bladder

Adherens junctions (zonula adherens) – anchoring junction – Transmembrane linker proteins attach to actin microfilaments of the cytoskeleton and bind adjacent cells – Along with tight junctions, form the tight junctional complex around apical lateral borders of epithelial tissues Present just below the tight junctions Provides Rigidity to the apex of the cell. Presence of dense plaque – like material on the cytoplasmic surface of the plasma membranes of the junction.

Desmosomes (Macula Adherens) Hemidesmosomes Gap of 30nm Transmembrane Proteins Electron dense plaque Attachment to Intermediate Filaments FIRM ADHESION between cells Subjected to friction, Epidermis of skin.

Desmosomes Desmosomes – two disc-like plaques connected across intercellular space – Plaques of adjoining cells are joined by proteins called cadherins – Proteins interdigitate into extracellular space – Intermediate filaments insert into plaques from cytoplasmic side

Desmosomes

Gap junctions (Nexus) passageway between two adjacent cells – Let small molecules move directly between neighboring cells – Cells are connected by hollow cylinders of protein – Passage of inorganic ions – Exchange of chemical messengers in cell recognition and differentiation.

Gap Junction

Tight Junctions In the apical Band or belt Barrier device

Surface Modifications Glycocalyx-rich in polysaccharides Concentrates ions prior to absorption Act as receptor sites for hormones and enzymes. Microvilli - minute finger like projections Increase absorptive surface Stereocilia – Long thick Microvilli, Non motile, may show branching, Increase surface area( Epididimis), helps perception of stimuli (Internal Ear) Cilia- long, hair like projections of plasma membrane

Microvilli and Cilia Nonmotile Contain Microfilaments Function-Absorption Intestinal epithelium, proximal convoluted tubules of the kidney Motile Contain 9+2 pattern of microtubules Driving the entangled particles, transport in one dcirection Examples: Respirastory tract,uterine tube and ependyma

Epithelial Tissues

According to the number of cell layers First name of tissue indicates number of layers – Simple – one layer of cells – Stratified – more than one layer of cells Classifications & Naming of Epithelia

Classification & Naming of Epithelia Last name of tissue describes shape of cells – Squamous – cells wider than tall (plate or “scale” like) – Cuboidal – cells are as wide as tall, as in cubes Columnar – cells are taller than they are wide, like columns

Naming Epithelia Naming the epithelia includes both the layers (first) and the shape of the cells (second) – i.e. stratified cuboidal epithelium The name may also include any accessory structures – Goblet cells – Cilia – Keratin Special epithelial tissues (don’t follow naming convention) – Psuedostratified – Transitional

Simple Squamous Epithelium Description – single layer of flat cells with disc-shaped nuclei Special types – Endothelium (inner covering) slick lining of hollow organs – Mesothelium (middle covering) Lines peritoneal, pleural, and pericardial cavities Covers visceral organs of those cavities

Simple Squamous Epithelium Function – Passage of materials by passive diffusion and filtration – Secretes lubricating substances in serosae Location – Renal corpuscles – Alveoli of lungs – Lining of heart, blood and lymphatic vessels – Lining of ventral body cavity (serosae)

Simple Squamous Epithelium Simple squamous lining the walls of the capillary

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium Description – single layer of cube-like cells with large, spherical central nuclei Function – secretion and absorption Location – kidney tubules, secretory portions of small glands, ovary & thyroid follicles

Simple Columnar Epithelium Description – single layer of column-shaped (rectangular) cells with oval nuclei Some bear cilia at their apical surface May contain goblet cells Function – Absorption; secretion of mucus, enzymes, and other substances – Ciliated type propels mucus or reproductive cells by ciliary action

Simple Columnar Epithelium Location – Non-ciliated form Lines digestive tract, gallbladder, ducts of some glands – Ciliated form Lines small bronchi, uterine tubes, uterus

Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium Description – All cells originate at basement membrane – Only tall cells reach the apical surface – May contain goblet cells and bear cilia – Nuclei lie at varying heights within cells Gives false impression of stratification Function – secretion of mucus; propulsion of mucus by cilia

Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium Locations – Non-ciliated type Ducts of male reproductive tubes Ducts of large glands – Ciliated variety Lines trachea and most of upper respiratory tract

Stratified Epithelia Contain two or more layers of cells Regenerate from below Major role is protection Are named according to the shape of cells at apical layer

Stratified Squamous Epithelium Description – Many layers of cells – squamous in shape – Deeper layers of cells appear cuboidal or columnar – Thickest epithelial tissue – adapted for protection

Stratified Squamous Epithelium Specific types – Keratinized – contain the protective protein keratin Surface cells are dead and full of keratin – Non-keratinized – forms moist lining of body openings Function – Protects underlying tissues in areas subject to abrasion Location – Keratinized – forms epidermis – Non-keratinized – forms lining of esophagus, mouth, and vagina

Transitional Epithelium Description – Basal cells usually cuboidal or columnar – Superficial cells dome- shaped or squamous Function – stretches and permits distension of urinary bladder Location – Lines ureters, urinary bladder and part of urethra

Introduction Histology There are (4) types of tissue: – 1. Epithelial – 2. Connective – 3. Muscle – 4. Nervous Similarities between tissue types: – 1. All contain cells – 2. Cells that make up tissues have similar functions

Epithelial Structure Apical Basement Membrane Apical

Basement Membrane The epithelial cells lie on the reticular lamina (collagen – CT) Reticular lamina is bound to another CT called areolar CT. Together this structure is called the "basement membrane”

Classification and Examples 1. Simple Epithelium – Single layer – All cells anchored to basement membrane 2. Simple Squamous – Kidney – filtration 3. Simple Cuboidal – Kidney tubules – Filtration; secretion, absorption

Simple Epithelia 4. Simple Columnar – Tall, thin cells – Absorptive cells (small intestine) – Goblet Cells 5. Pseudostratified ‘Ciliated’ Columnar Epithelium – “Pseudostratified” ? – Trachea – Goblet Cells and Mucus

Stratified Epithelium 1.Characteristics – 2+ layers 2.Stratified Squamous – Skin – outer layer hardened by ‘keratin’ – 4 to 5 layers thick 3. Stratified Cuboidal – Ducts of sweat glands – This type + stratified columnar are rare!

MCQ Transitional epithelium is found in 1.Uterus 2.Ureter 3.Gall bladder 4.vagina

MCQ Stomach is lined by 1.Simple columnar epithelium 2.Straified squamous epithelium 3.Simple cuboidal epithelium 4.Pseudostratified columnar epithelium

MCQ Simple Squamous epithelium is seen in 1.Alveoli of lungs 2.Stomach 3.Urinary bladder 4.Tongue

MCG Glycocalyx coat present in the absorptive surface of small intestine 1.Increases the surface area 2.Transports the absorbed material 3.Concentrates ions prior to absorption 4.Participates in the digestion of carbohydrates

MCQ Pseudostratified Epithelium is seen in 1. Ureter 2.Skin 3.Trachea 4.Kidney

Simple squamous epithelium lining of serous membrane is called……….. Basement membrane is made up of how many layers…. What are Microvilli? Desmosomes?