Types of Epithelial Tissues Quiz

Epithelial Tissue Characteristics

• Epithelial tissue can be either ciliated or nonciliated, and some cells have microvilli.
• Goblet cells secrete mucus and are involved in absorption, secretion, and protection.

Epithelial Tissue Types

• Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium: appears stratified due to nuclei at multiple levels, but all cells touch the basement membrane; found in linings of the uterus, stomach, and intestine.
• Stratified Squamous Epithelium: multiple layers of flattened cells, providing protection; found in outer layers of skin, linings of oral cavity, throat, vagina, and anal canal.
• Stratified Cuboidal Epithelium: 2-3 layers of cuboidal cells, providing protection; found in linings of larger ducts of mammary glands, sweat glands, salivary glands, and pancreas.
• Stratified Columnar Epithelium: protection and secretion; found in vas deferens, part of the male urethra, and parts of the pharynx (throat).
• Transitional Epithelium: allows for distensibility (stretching), providing protection; found in inner lining of urinary bladder and linings of the ureters and part of urethra.
• Glandular Epithelium: cells specialized to produce and secrete substances into ducts or body fluids; found in salivary glands, sweat glands, and endocrine glands.

Epithelial Tissue Functions

• Protects from physical and chemical injury
• Protects against microbial infection
• Contains nerve endings that respond to stimuli
• Filters, secretes, and reabsorbs materials
• Secretes fluids to lubricate joints

Epithelial Classification

• Classified based on shape and number of cell layers
• Shape: squamous (thin, flat), cuboidal (cube-shaped), columnar (tall, elongated)
• Number: simple (single layer), stratified (2 or more layers)

Simple Epithelial Tissue

• Simple Squamous Epithelium: single layer of thin, flattened cells, easily damaged; found in air sacs of the lungs, walls of capillaries, and linings of blood and lymph vessels.
• Simple Cuboidal Epithelium: single layer of cube-shaped cells, involved in secretion and absorption; found in surface of ovaries, linings of kidney tubules, and linings of ducts of certain glands.
• Simple Columnar Epithelium: single layer of cells that are longer than they are wide, involved in secretion and absorption; found in linings of stomach and intestine.