LINING EPITHELIUM

Epithelium Vs Epithelioid

• Covers body surfaces Close apposition & BM +

• Lines body cavities
• Constitutes glands Epithelial cells lack a free surface

1. The interstitial cells of Leydig

2. The lutein cells
3. The islets of Langerhans
4. Adrenal gland parenchyma
5. Anterior lobe of the pituitary gland
6. Epithelioreticular(ER) cells of the thymus
7. Sebaceous gland

Mnemonic: SEAL
123
 CLASSIFICATION OF EPITHELIUM

The shape of the surface cells 1. Simple epithelium

2 factors
The number of cell layers 2. Stratified epithelium

• Squamous epithelium

• Cuboidal epithelium

• Columnar epithelium
 Stratified epithelium Nomenclature based on TOP LAYER

Stratified cuboidal epithelium

Stratified squamous epithelium (non keratinized)

Stratified squamous epithelium (keratinized) Stratified columnar epithelium

 Special category

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium

Variant nuclear level

Transitional epithelium (urothelium) Relaxed

Stretched
 Endothelium & Mesothelium

Blood & lymph vessels Lining of walls of closed cavities

like pleural & peritoneal cavity
Simple squamous epithelium

except

Post capillary venules of some lymphatic tissue

(HEV- High Endothelial Venules)
Cuboidal epithelium
 GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT (PART 1)
Keratinized/Para-keratinized
Masticatory mucosa Gingiva & hard palate
stratified squamous epithelium
Oral mucosa

Lips, cheek, alveolar mucosa,

Non-Keratinized stratified
Lining mucosa floor of mouth, inferior surface
squamous epithelium
of tongue & soft palate
Exception- Vermilion border of lip (keratinized)

Specialized mucosa Dorsum of tongue

Non-Keratinized stratified
squamous epithelium

Exception- filiform papillae (keratinized)

 Enamel
Teeth Dentin
Cementum

Enamel
Mineralised material derived from EPITHELIUM
98 % Calcium hydroxyapatite
Hardest substance in human body
 GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT (PART 2)

Mucous acinus
Salivary gland

Serous acinus
 Intercalated duct
Low cuboidal epithelium
Infolded basal plasma membrane
Salivary ducts

Striated duct
Simple cuboidal to columnar epithelium

Excretory duct
Stratified cuboidal/columnar epithelium
 Lining epithelium

Mucosa Lamina propria

GIT wall

Submucosa Muscularis mucosa

Muscularis externa

Serosa
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT (PART 3)

Oesophagus
Non keratinized stratified squamous epithelium

Stomach
Simple columnar epithelium (surface mucous cells)

High in bicarbonate & potassium to

protect lining from acidic content
 Plica circulares (valve of Kerkering)

Small intestine Villi

Microvilli
• Major amplification of cell surface
• Straited border

5 types of cells in mucosal lining epithelium

1. Enterocytes (tall columnar with striated border)- covered with glycocalyx
2. Goblet cells (mucin secreting glands)
3. Paneth cells (maintains immunity)
4. Enteroendocrine cells
5. M cells (microfold cells)- covers lymphatic nodules in lamina propria

Mnemonic- PGMEE
Enterocyte
 PANETH CELLS
• Base of intestinal glands
• Pyramidal in shape
• Acidophilic granules near apex
• Oval & basal nucleus

Antibacterial enzyme lysozyme & Zinc

Large intestine (& appendix)
o Plica- absent
o Villi- absent
o Crypt of Lieberkühn- present

Mucosal lining is same as of small intestine except Paneth cells

Colorectal zone- Simple columnar epithelium

ATZ- Stratified columnar epithelium

Squamous zone- Stratified squamous epithelium

 SUMMARY OF GUT LINING EPITHELIUM

Gingiva & hard palate Keratinized/Para-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium

Lips, cheek, alveolar
mucosa, floor of mouth,
inferior surface of tongue Non-Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
& soft palate
Dorsum of tongue Non-Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
Intercalated duct Low cuboidal epithelium
Striated duct Simple cuboidal to columnar epithelium
Excretory duct Stratified cuboidal/columnar epithelium
Oesophagus Non keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
Stomach Simple columnar epithelium (surface mucous cells)
Small intestine Tall columnar with striated border
Large intestine Tall columnar with striated border
Colorectal zone Simple columnar epithelium
ATZ Stratified columnar epithelium
Squamous zone Stratified squamous epithelium
Types of cells in respiratory epithelium Ciliated cells Mnemonic: 2B 2G 2C (2 Boys 2 Girls 2Children)

Goblet cells

Brush cells Non ciliated cells with blunt microvilli

Granule cells (Kulchitsky cells)

These are endocrine cells of the diffuse neuroendocrine system (DNES)

Basal cells
Stem cells

Clara cells
Release surfactant
Nasal mucosa, paranasal air sinuses & larynx
Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
with goblet cells

Except vocal folds & lingual surface of

epiglottis (stratified squamous epithelium)
Large bronchiole
Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
CLARA CELLS
• Nonciliated cuboidal cells
• Dome-shaped apical surface projection
• Secrete- glycoprotein, forms protective layer of
surfactant in lower respiratory tract.

Small bronchiole (terminal bronchiole)

Ciliated cuboidal epithelium (no goblet cells)

Respiratory bronchiole
Ciliated cuboidal epithelium

Non ciliated cuboidal epithelium

 Thin squamous cells
Type 1 Pneumocytes Covers 95% of alveolar surface

Alveoli

Large rounded cuboidal cells

5% of alveolar surface
Type 2 Pneumocytes
Microvilli on apical surface
Secretes surfactant
 SUMMARY OF RESPIRATORY TRACT LINING EPITHELIUM

Nasal mucosa
Paranasal sinuses
Larynx
Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
Trachea
Bronchus
Proximal bronchiole
Terminal bronchiole Ciliated cuboidal epithelium (no goblet cells)
Respiratory bronchiole Non ciliated cuboidal epithelium
Alveolus Simple Squamous epithelium
Simple cuboidal epithelium with brush border
PCT

Parietal layer- simple squamous epi

Bowman’s capsule

DCT
Simple cuboidal epithelium
Thick descending limb

Same as PCT
Loop of Henle Thick ascending limb
Squamous epithelium with few microvilli Same as DCT
 Collecting ducts
Cuboidal to columnar epi

Duct of Bellini (Most distal part of collecting duct )

 Minor calyx

Major calyx

Renal pelvis
Transitional epithelium
(Urothelium)
Ureter

Urinary bladder

Prostatic urethra

Membranous urethra
Urethra

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium

Penile urethra

Terminal urethra Stratified squamous epithelium

 SUMMARY OF URINARY TRACT LINING EPITHELIUM

Bowman’s capsule Simple squamous epi

PCT Cuboidal with brush border
Thick descending limb Cuboidal with brush border
Loop of Henle (thin limb) Squamous with few microvilli
Thick ascending limb Cuboidal with no brush border
DCT Cuboidal with no brush border
Collecting ducts Cuboidal to columnar
Minor calyx
Major calyx
Renal pelvis
Transitional epi
Ureter
Bladder
Prostatic urethra
Membranous urethra Pseudostratified columnar epi
Spongy urethra Pseudostratified columnar epi
Terminal urethra Stratified squamous epi