Epithelial tissues cover the outer surfaces of the body and the lumen of internal organs; they are classified by shape and number of layers.
Epithelial tissues cover the outside of organs and structures in the body. They also line the lumens of organs in a single layer or multiple layers of cells. The types of epithelia are classified by the shapes of cells present and the number of layers of cells. Epithelia composed of a single layer of cells is called simple epithelia; epithelial tissue composed of multiple layers is called stratified epithelia. In general, epithelial cells replicate and regenerate quickly compared to other cell types.
Squamous epithelial cells are generally round, flat, and have a small, centrally-located nucleus. The cell outline is slightly irregular; cells fit together to form a covering or lining. When the cells are arranged in a single layer (simple squamous epithelia), they facilitate diffusion in tissues, such as the areas of gas exchange in the lungs or the exchange of nutrients and waste at blood capillaries.
Cuboidal epithelial cells are cube-shaped with a single, central nucleus. They are most commonly found in a single layer, such as a simple epithelia in glandular tissues (such as the thyroid and pituitary gland) throughout the body where they prepare and secrete glandular material. They are also found in the walls of tubules and in the ducts of the kidney and liver.
Columnar epithelial cells are taller than they are wide: they resemble a stack of columns in an epithelial layer. They are most commonly found in a single-layer arrangement. The nuclei of columnar epithelial cells in the digestive tract appear to be lined up at the base of the cells. These cells absorb material from the lumen of the digestive tract and prepare it for entry into the body.
Columnar epithelial cells lining the respiratory tract appear to be stratified. However, each cell is attached to the base membrane of the tissue and, therefore, they are simple tissues. The nuclei are arranged at different levels in the layer of cells, making it appear as though there is more than one layer. This is called pseudostratified columnar epithelia.
Goblet cells are glandular simple columnar cells interspersed in some tissues and secrete mucous that traps irritants.
Transitional cells appear only in the urinary system, primarily in the bladder and ureter. These cells are arranged in a stratified layer, but they have the capability of appearing to pile up on top of each other in a relaxed, empty bladder. As the urinary bladder fills, the epithelial layer unfolds and expands to hold the volume of urine introduced into it; the lining becomes thinner. In other words, the tissue transitions from thick to thin.
Practice Questions
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Key Points
• Epithelium composed of only a single layer of cells is called simple epithelium, while epithelium composed of more than one layer of cells is called stratified.
• Squamous epithelial cells are round, flat, and have an irregular border; their function is usually to diffuse or filter substances across tissues.
• Cuboidal epithelial cells, as wide as they are tall, are cube shaped; they are usually found lining glands where they secrete substances.
• Columnar epithelial cells are taller than they are wide and function mostly in absorption, such as in the digestive tract.
• Pseudostratified columnar epithelia appear to be stratified because there seems to be more than one row of nuclei, but, in fact, it is a single layer of cells with the nuclei at different levels.
• Transitional epithelium has the ability to stretch; it usually lines the interior of organs such as the bladder.
Key Terms
epithelial tissue: cover the outside of organs and structures in the body and line the lumens of organs
simple: single layer
stratified: multiple layers
squamous: round, flat, and have an irregular border; their function is usually to diffuse or filter substances across tissues
cuboidal: as wide as they are tall, are cube shaped; they are usually found lining glands where they secrete substances
columnar: taller than they are wide and function mostly in absorption, such as in the digestive tract
pseudostratified columnar: appear to be stratified because there seems to be more than one row of nuclei, but is a single layer
transitional: has the ability to stretch; it usually lines the interior of organs such as the bladder
lumen: the cavity or channel within a tube or tubular organ
goblet cell: glandular simple columnar epithelial cells that helps make mucus