Question

Anatomy Mini-Tutorial: 8 Epithelial Tissue Types

Answer 1

\({\bf{Basic~Definitions}}\)
- epithelial tissues: an organization of cells that protects an organ or other surface in the body
- basement membrane: lies underneath the epithelial tissue
> basal lamina: section of the basement membrane close to the epithelium
> reticular lamina: section of the basement membrane farther away from the epithelium

Answer 2

\({\bf{Simple~Squamous}}\): (note: squamous, literally meaning "scaled," refers to epithelia of flat cells)



- Properties: has nucleus at the center of the cell. in heart and blood vessels = endothelium; in abdominal cavities = mesothelium
- Locations: blood vessel lining, air sacs, kidneys

Answer 3

\({\bf{Simple~Cuboidal:}}\) a single layer of cube-shaped cells



- Locations: kidney tubules, excretory system
- Properties: used for excretion and protection

Answer 4

\({\bf{Simple~Columnar:}}\) single layer of column-shaped cells



Location: gastointestinal cells, ducts
Properties: nuclei at the bottom of the cell. used in absorption, secretion, digestion.

Answer 5

\({\bf{Pseudostratified~Columnar:}}\)



- Location: nasal cavity, windpipe, bronchi
- Properties: single layer (all cells make contact with the basement membrane at the bottom) but has a somewhat layered appearance so given the name pseudostratified. can contain layer of cilia on the outer surface for movement of material outside the cell

Answer 6

\({\bf{Stratified~Squamous:}}\) multiple layers of thin cells



- Location: mouth, esophagus, tongue
- Function: protection

Answer 7

\({\bf{Stratified~Columnar:}}\) multiple layers of column-shaped cells



- Location: pharynx, excretory system (rare)
- Function: Protection

Answer 8

\({\bf{Stratified~Cuboidal:}}\) multiple layers of cube-shaped cells



- Location: sweat glands, mammary glands
- Function: protection

Answer 9

\({\bf{Transitional:}}\) differently shaped cells in multiple layers



- Locations: urinary system, esp. bladder
- Properties: allows expansion and contraction

Answer 10

Anyway, that's the end of my tutorial, I hope it was a helpful resource. Source material is the Princeton Review Anatomy Workbook, 4th ed.

note: this source isn't super detailed about the tissue types so may be going back w/ another source on this