2. INTRODUCTION
• Histology- is also called
microscopic anatomy.
• It’s the study of normal
microscopic structures of cell
and tissues and how this
tissues are arranged to form
organs.
3. Tissues are made of cells and
extracellular matrix.
Extracellular matrix are
organized structures such as
collagen fibrils and basement
membranes.
4. • When tissues malfunction, e.g.
in certain disease states such
as cancer or inflammation,
there are often specific
changes in the microscopic
structure of the tissues. The
study of these changes is
known as histopathology
5. Overview 1
Tissues and Histology
• Tissues - collections of similar cells and the substances
surrounding them
• Tissue classification based on structure of cells, composition
of noncellular extracellular matrix, and cell function
• Major types of adult tissues
– Epithelial
– Connective
– Muscle
– Nervous
– Biopsy: removal of tissues for diagnostic purposes
– Autopsy: examination of organs of a dead body to
determine cause of death
6. Embryonic Tissue
• 3 major germ layers that form the embryonic disc (source of stem cells)
– Endoderm
• Inner layer
• Forms lining of digestive tract and derivatives
– Mesoderm
• Middle layer
• Forms tissues as such muscle, bone, blood vessels
– Ectoderm
• Outer layer
• Forms skin and neuroectoderm
7. • EPITHELIAL TISSUE
Tightly bound continuous cells forming
sheets covering or lining the body.
They are separated from the underlying
connective tissue by an extracellular matrix
the basal lamina, synthesized by the
epithelial cells.
Epithelial cells are bound to adjacent cells
by a variety of membrane specialisations
called cell junctions that provide physical
strength and mediate exchange of
information and metabolites
8. I. Epithelial Tissue
• Cellularity - Consists almost
entirely of cells
• Covers body surfaces, lines
hollow organs, and forms glands
– Outside surface of the body
– Lining of digestive, respiratory
and urogenital systems
– Heart and blood vessels
– Linings of many body cavities
• Polarity - Has apical, basal, and
lateral surfaces
• Rests on a basement membrane
• Specialized cell contacts bind
adjacent cells together
• Avascular - no blood vessels
• Regenerative -Replaces lost cells
by cell division
9. Functions of Epithelia
• Protecting underlying structures; e.g.,
epithelium lining the mouth
• Acting as barriers; e.g., skin
• Permitting the passage of substances; e.g.,
cells lining air sacs in lungs and nephrons in
kidney
• Secreting substances; e.g., pancreatic cells
• Absorbing substances; e.g., lining of stomach
and small intestine
• Detection of sensations via taste buds, retina of the
eye, and specialized hair cells in the ear.
11. Classification of Epithelium
A. Number of layers of cells
– Simple- one layer of cells. Each extends from
basement membrane to the free surface
– Stratified- more than one layer.
– Pseudostratified- tissue appears to be stratified,
but all cells contact basement membrane so it is in
fact simple
B. Shape of cells
– Squamous- flat, scale-like
– Cuboidal- about equal in height and width
– Columnar- taller than wide
12. C-The presence of surface
specialisations such as cilia and
keratin. For example the epithelial
surface of the skin is classified as
stratified squamous
keratinising epithelium since it
consists of many layers of cells,
13. • Glandular epithelia
• Epithelium that is primarily involved in
secretion is often arranged into
structures called glands. Glands are
merely invaginations of epithelial
surfaces, which are formed during
embryonic development by
proliferation of epithelium into the
underlying tissues. For example
glandular epithelium is characteristic
of the lining of the GIT
14. Type Cell Form Examples of Distribution Main Function
Simple Squamous Lining of vessels
(endothelium).
Facilitates the movement of the viscera
(mesothelium), active transport by
pinocytosis (mesothelium and endothelium),
secretion of biologically active molecules
(mesothelium).
Serous lining of cavities;
pericardium, pleura,
peritoneum
(mesothelium).
Cuboidal Covering the ovary,
thyroid.
Covering, secretion.
Columnar Lining of intestine,
gallbladder.
Protection, lubrication, absorption, secretion.
Pseudos
tratified
Some columnar and some
cuboidal
Lining of trachea, bronchi,
nasal cavity.
Protection, secretion; cilia-mediated
transport of particles trapped in mucus.
Stratifie
d
Surface layer squamous
keratinized (dry)
Epidermis. Protection; prevents water loss.
Surface layer squamous
nonkeratinized (moist)
Mouth, esophagus, larynx,
vagina, anal canal.
Protection, secretion; prevents water loss.
Cuboidal Sweat glands, developing
ovarian follicles.
Protection, secretion.
Transitional: domelike
to flattened,
Bladder, ureters,
renal calyces.
Protection, distensibility.
Columnar Conjunctiva. Protection.
21. Stratified Epithelia
• Contain two or more layers of cells
• Regenerate from below
• Major role is protection
• Are named according to the shape of
cells at apical layer
22. Stratified Squamous
Epithelium
• Description
– Many layers of cells – squamous in shape
– Deeper layers of cells appear cuboidal or
columnar
– Thickest epithelial tissue – adapted for
protection
23. Stratified Squamous
Epithelium
• Specific types
– Keratinized – contain the protective protein
keratin
• Surface cells are dead and full of keratin
– Non-keratinized – forms moist lining of
body openings
24. Stratified Squamous
Epithelium
• Function – Protects underlying tissues
in areas subject to abrasion
• Location
– Keratinized – forms epidermis
– Non-keratinized – forms lining of
esophagus, mouth, and vagina
27. Epithelium: Glandular
• A gland is one or more cells that makes and secretes
an aqueous fluid
• Two types of glands formed by infolding of epithelium:
– Endocrine: no contact with exterior of body; ductless; produce
hormones (pituitary, thyroid, adrenals, pancreas)
– Exocrine: open to exterior of body via ducts (sweat, oil)
• Exocrine glands classified either by structure or by the
method of secretion
• Classified by structure
– Unicellular: goblet cells
– Multicellular: sweat, oil, pituitary, adrenal
28. Multicellular Exocrine Glands
• Classified on the basis of types of
ducts or mode of secretion
• Types of ducts
– Simple: ducts with few
branches
– Compound: ducts with many
branches
• If ducts end in tubules or
sac-like structures: acini.
Pancreas
• If ducts end in simple
sacs: alveoli. Lungs
31. Membrane Junctions: Tight Junction
• Integral proteins of adjacent
cells fuse together
• Completely encircle the cell
and form an adhesion belt.
• Form an impermeable
junction.
• Common near apical region
32. Lateral Surface Features –
Cell Junctions
• Desmosomes – two disc-like plaques
connected across intercellular space
– Plaques of adjoining cells are joined by
proteins called cadherins
– Proteins interdigitate into extracellular
space
– Intermediate filaments insert into plaques
from cytoplasmic side
33. Membrane Junctions: Desmosome
Figure 3.5b
Linker proteins extend
from plaque like teeth of
a zipper.
Intermediate filaments
extend across width of
cell.
• Common in superficial layers of skin; skin
peels after a sunburn
• Reduces chance of tearing, twisting, stretching
34. Membrane Junctions: Gap Junction
• Connexon proteins are trans-
membrane proteins.
• Present in electrically excitable
tissues (heart, smooth muscle)
35. Basal Feature: The Basal
Lamina
Noncellular supporting sheet between the
epithelium and the connective tissue deep to it
Consists of proteins secreted by the epithelial
cells
Functions:
Acts as a selective filter, determining which
molecules from capillaries enter the epithelium
Acts as scaffolding along which regenerating
epithelial cells can migrate
Basal lamina and reticular layers of the
underlying connective tissue deep to it form the
basement membrane
36. Epithelial Surface Features
• Apical surface features
– Microvilli – finger-like extensions of plasma
membrane
• Abundant in epithelia of small intestine and kidney
• Maximize surface area across which small
molecules enter or leave
– Cilia – whip-like, highly motile extensions of
apical surface membranes
• Movement of cilia – in coordinated waves
37. Connective Tissue
• Most diverse and abundant tissue
• Main classes
– Connective tissue proper
– Cartilage
– Bone tissue
– Blood
• Characteristics
– Mesenchyme as their common tissue of origin
(mesenchyme derived from mesoderm)
– Varying degrees of vascularity
– Nonliving extracellular matrix, consisting of ground
substance and fibers
– Cells are not as abundant nor as tightly packed together
as in epithelium
39. Functions of Connective Tissue
• Enclose organs as a capsule and separate
organs into layers. Areolar
• Connect tissues to one another. Tendons and
ligaments.
• Support and movement. Bones.
• Storage. Fat.
• Insulation. Fat.
• Transport. Blood.
• Protection. Bone, cells of the immune system.
40. Structural Elements of Connective Tissue
• Ground substance – unstructured
material that fills the space between cells
• Fibers – collagen, elastic, or reticular
• Cells – fibroblasts, chondroblasts,
osteoblasts, hematopoietic stem cells,
and others
41. Connective Tissue Cells
• Fibroblasts - secrete the proteins needed for fiber
synthesis and components of the extracellular matrix
• Adipose or fat cells (adipocytes). Common in some
tissues (dermis of skin); rare in some (cartilage)
• Mast cells. Common beneath membranes; along small
blood vessels. Can release heparin, histamine, and
proteolytic enzymes in response to injury.
• Leukocytes (WBC’s). Respond to injury or infection
• Macrophages. Derived from monocytes (a WBC).
Phagocytic; provide protection
• Chondroblasts - form cartilage
• Osteoblasts - form bone
• Hematopoietic stem cells - form blood cells
• Undifferentiated mesenchyme (stem cells). Have
potential to differentiate into adult cell types.
42. Extracellular Matrix - ECM
• ECM has 3 major components
1. Protein fibers 2. Ground substance 3. Fluid
• Protein fibers
– Collagen fibers. Composed of the protein collagen.
Strong, flexible, inelastic; great tensile strength (i.e.
resist stretch). Perfect for tendons, ligaments
– Elastic fibers. Contain molecules of protein elastin that
resemble coiled springs. Returns to its original shape
after stretching or compression. Perfect for lungs,
large blood vessels
– Reticular fibers. Formed from fine collagenous fibers;
form branching networks (stroma). Fill spaces
between tissues and organs.
43. Ground Substance
• Interstitial (tissue) fluid within which are one or more of
the molecules listed below:
– Hyaluronic acid: a polysaccharide. Very slippery;
serves as a good lubricant for joints. Common in
most connective tissues.
– Proteoglycans: protein and polysaccharide complex.
Polysaccharides called glyocosaminoglycans
(chondroitin sulfate, keratin sulfate). Protein part
attaches to hyaluronic acid. Able to trap large
amounts of water.
– Adhesive molecules: hold proteoglycan aggregates
together. Chondronectin in cartilage, osteonectin in
bone, fibronectin in fibrous connective tissue.
• Functions as a molecular sieve through which nutrients
diffuse between blood capillaries and cells
49. Elastic Connective Tissue
• Bundles and sheets of collagenous and elastic fibers
oriented in multiple directions
• In walls of elastic arteries (aorta), lungs, vocal
ligaments
• Strong, yet elastic; allows for recoil of tissue after
being stretched
50. Connective Tissue: Cartilage
• Composed of chondrocytes (cells) located in matrix-
surrounded spaces called lacunae.
• Type of cartilage determined by components of the matrix.
• Firm consistency.
• Ground substance: Proteoglycans and hyaluronic acid
complexed together trap large amounts of water
(microscopic sponges). Allows tissue to spring back after
being compressed.
• Avascular and no nerve supply. Heals slowly.
• Perichondrium. Dense irregular connective tissue that
surrounds cartilage. Fibroblasts of perichondrium can
differentiate into chondroblasts (cartilage-forming cells)
• Types of cartilage
– Hyaline
– Fibrocartilage
– Elastic
56. Muscle Tissue
• Characteristics
– Cells are referred to as fibers
– Contracts or shortens with force when
stimulated
– Moves entire body and pumps blood
• Types
– Skeletal:attached to bones
– Cardiac: muscle of the heart.
– Smooth: muscle associated with tubular
structures and with the skin. Nonstriated and
involuntary.
61. Tissues and Aging
• Cells divide more slowly
• Collagen fibers become more irregular in structure, though
they may increase in number
– Tendons and ligaments become less flexible and more fragile
• Elastic fibers fragment, bind to calcium ions, and become
less elastic
– Arterial walls and elastic ligaments become less elastic
• Changes in collagen and elastin result in
– Atherosclerosis and reduced blood supply to tissues
– Wrinkling of the skin
– Increased tendency for bones to break
• Rate of blood cell synthesis declines in the elderly
• Injuries don’t heal as readily