Epithelial tissue
Epithelial Tissue is one of the four basic types of animal tissue, along with connective tissue, muscle tissue, and nervous tissue. It is a tissue that lines the outer surfaces of organs and blood vessels throughout the body, as well as the inner surfaces of cavities in many internal organs.
Structure[edit | edit source]
Epithelial tissue is composed of cells laid together in sheets with the cells tightly connected to one another. Epithelial layers are avascular, but innervated. Epithelial cells have two surfaces that differ in both structure and function. One surface is usually exposed to the internal or external environment, while the other is attached to a basement membrane. This membrane serves as a base upon which the cells can grow and regenerate after injuries.
Functions[edit | edit source]
Epithelial tissues have several functions, which include protection against abrasion, radiation damage, chemical stress and invasion by pathogens. A single organ can have different types of epithelial tissue based on the substances to which different surfaces are exposed. Epithelial tissue also serves to both selectively absorb substances into the body and help filter out toxic substances, and to provide sensory input.
Types[edit | edit source]
There are several different types of epithelial tissues which are classified by the shape of their cells and the number of layers they form. The three principal shapes associated with epithelial cells are—squamous, cuboidal and columnar.
Squamous Epithelium[edit | edit source]
Squamous epithelium has cells that are wider than their height (flat and scale-like). This is a single layer of cells with the appearance of thin scales. It is found in areas of the body where rapid diffusion is required.
Cuboidal Epithelium[edit | edit source]
Cuboidal epithelium consists of cube-shaped cells. This type of epithelium is found in areas of the body where secretion and absorption occur.
Columnar Epithelium[edit | edit source]
Columnar epithelium forms a single layer of columnar cells that fit closely together. It is found in areas of the body where absorption and secretion are primary functions.
See Also[edit | edit source]
| Epithelial tissue Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
