Anatomy and Physiology
Naming Epithelial Tissues
Fall 2014
Objective: To develop lab skills and be able to identify, compare and contrast, and describe the
functions of all major epithelial tissues.
Standards 2.6 and 2.8: The science of structure and functio
Naming Epithelial Tissues
First Name:
Second Name:
Types of Epithelial Tissues
Simple squamous epithelium:
Description: single layer of flattened cells, appear squashed, crescent nuclei that are not evenly spaced, simplest of
all E.Ts
Function: allows passage of materials by diffusion and filtration in places where protection is not important
Location: Kidneys, lung/air sacs, blood vessels, lining of heart and lymphatic vessels, lining of ventral body cavity
Simple cuboidal epithelium:
Description: single layer of cube-like cells with large, spherical nuclei. Usually form rings. Nuclei evenly spaced.
Function: secretion and absorbtion
Location: kidney tubules, ducts of secretory potions of glands, surface of ovaries
Simple Columnar Epithelium:
Description: single layer of tall cells with oval nuclei. Some cells bear cilia, others may contain mucus-secreting
goblet cells.
Function: absorbtion, secretion of mucus in order to trap foreign debris, propel it in or out, protect lungs, aids in
fertilization.
Location:
Non- Ciliated type: lines most of digestive tract and gall bladder
Ciliated type: lines the small bronchii, uterine tubes, and some regions of the uterus
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium
Description: single layer of cells of differing heights with nuclei of different heights. All cells start as basal surface,
only some reach apical surface. Appears to be made of different cell layers (pseudo layers). Some contain cilia
and/or goblet cells.
Function: secretion, particularly of mucus, propulsion of mucus by ciliary action
Location:
Non-ciliated type: lines male’s sperm carrying ducts and ducts of large glands
Ciliated type: variety, lines the tracheas and most of upper respiratory tract. Propels sheets of dust/pathogen
trapping mucus superiorly away from lungs
Stratified Squamous epithelium
Description: thick membrane composed of several cell layers, basal cells are cuboidal (recent mitosis) and
metabolically active, surface cells are flattened and dead. Lower cells replace upper cells when removed (think Pez)
Function: protects underlying tissue in areas that are subject to abrasion. Makes a durable layer by making surface
cells expendable.
Location:
Non-keratinzed type- forms the moist lining of the mouth, esophagus, and vagina
Keratinized type-forms the epidermis of the skin
Stratified Columnar Epithelium:
Description: several cell layers. Basal cells cuboidal, surface cells columnar.
Function: protection and secretion
Location: rare in the body, some found in small amounts in male urethra
Transitional Epithelium
Description: resembles both stratified squamous ET and stratified cuboidal ET. Basal cells cuboidal or columnar.
Surface cells usually squamous depending on the degree of distension (stretch)
Function: stretches readily and permits distention of urinary organ (bladder and tubes) by urine contained within.
Location: forms the lining of urinary organs (allows for a lot of stretching). Lines the ureters, bladder, and part of
the urethra.
Ureter: tube that carries urine from kidney to bladder
Urethra: canal through which urine leaves the body.