Summary of key points EPITHELIUM TISSUE

KEY facts:
There are 4 main tissue types: epithelial, connective, muscular and nervous.
To characterise tissue we analyse its cells: muscle has elongated cells for
contraction, connective has many ecms, nerve cells have elongated cell
processes and generate/ transmit/ receive impulses,
Organs are divided into parenchyma or stroma: parenchyma (cells used to help
organs function), stroma (cells form supportive tissue) stroma is made from
connective tissue (EXCEPT IN BRAIN AND SPINAL CORDS)
Epithelial tissue: strong adhesive cells with little ECM, closely aggregated
polyhedral cells. Principle functions are: covering, secretion (glands), absorption
(intestine), contractility (myoepithelium); can be very specialised such as
sensory cells for taste.
FEATURES of epithelial cells:
Most cells contain nuclei with the same shape: shapes vary from cuboidal,
columnar and squamous
Most epithelia lie on connective tissue, and line most organs in the respiratory,
digestive and urinary systems layer of connective tissue underneath the
epithelium that lines organs is called LAMINA PROPRIA (it supports the epithelia,
provides nutrition and helps to bind it to underlying structures.
IRREGULRITIES in CONNECTIVE TISSUE form papillae (invaginations) which bring
epithelia and lamina propria better in contact, this is common in epithelia such
as the TONGUE where FRICTION is HIGH
Epithelial cells show POLARITY with organelles and cell membrane proteins due
to distribution. WHY? Because basal pole (Facing away from lumen) and apical
pole (facing the lumen) along with the intercellular lateral surfaces, act as
opposing regions of charge due to the differing proportions of material within.
WHAT IS BASAL LAMINAE? It is an ECM between connective tissue and
epithelium.
WHEN UNDER THE MICROSCOPE WE CANNOT VISUALISE THE LIPID RICH
MEMBRANE = HELPS US TO UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT THE CELL WE ARE
LOOKING AT

Features of epithelial cells:

Columnar, squamous, cuboidal, nuclei similar in shape to the cell, lamina propria
is connective tissue underneath epithelium (provides support and nutrition),
papillae are irregularities between L.P and epithelium due to evaginations/
friction such as on the tongue
Polarity of epithelial cells due to membrane proteins and organelles uneven
distribution in the cell (basal pole faces connective tissue; apical pole is opposite
side; lateral surfaces have high surface areas to increase functionality of cells)
Where is basal lamina = basal surface of epithelial cells between connective
tissue and epithelia, (visible only with electron microscopes)
Basal Laminae = ECM SECRETED BY EPITHELIAL CELLS at basal surface of
epithelial cells. What is it made from? Dense and transparent layer (laminae)
with a network of fine fibrils and:
1. Laminin: sheet of glycoproteins below basal pole of cells
2. Type 4 collagen: sheet in laminin layer
3. Entactin (nidogen): glycoproteins and perlecan ( proteoglycan with heparin
sulfate side chains help to link with laminin and type 4 collagen fibres
Between basal lamina and connective tissue is a layer called RETICULAR LAMINA
= this is made from reticular fibres (collagen type 3) and anchoring fibrils
(collagen type 6) these proteins are MADE BY THE UNDERLYING CONNECTIVE
TISSUE
FUNCTION OF BASAL LAMINA:
1. STRUCTURAL
2. CELL POLARITY INFLUENCE
3. REGULATE CELL PROLIFERATION AND DIFFERENTIATION BIND TO
GROWTH FACTORS
4. ALLOW CELL TO CELL INTERACTIONS TO TAKE PLACE E.G : ESTABLISHES
NEW NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTIONS AROUND MUSCLE CELLS
BASEMEMENT MEMBRANE = The layer seen ONLY WITH LIGHT MICROSCOPES
of BOTH BASAL LAMINA AND RETICULAR LAMINA (THICKER) SEEN WITH (PAS
REACTION POSITIVE LAYER)
Intercellular junctions: are between lateral surfaces of cells having many
functions:
1. Occluding junctions: seal off cells
2. Adhesive junctions: stick together

3. Gap junctions: channels for cell communication

What is zona occludens: tight junctions cells close together acting as a
barrier to movement of fluid between them