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Encyclopedia Britannica - Main :: EMS-EUD |
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EPITHELIAL, ENDOTHELIAL and GLANDULAR TISSUES, in anatomy. Every surface of the body
protecting layer of cells closely bound to one another to form continuous sheets. These are epithelial
(from BilXii, a nipple). By the formation of outgrowths or in- growths from these surfaces further structures, consisting largely or entirely of cells directly, derived from the surface epithelium, may be formed. In this way originate the central nervous system, the sensitive surfaces of the special
epithelial
The individual cells forming an epithelial membrane are classified 'according to their shape. Thus we find flattened, or squantous, cubical, columnar; irregular, ciliated or flagellated cells. Many of the membranes formed by varieties. these cells are only one cell thick, as for instance is the case for the major part of the alimentary canal. In other instances the epithelial membrane may consist of a number of layers of cells, as in the case of the epidermis of the skin. Considering in the first place those membranes of which the cells are in a single layer we may distinguish the following: 1. Columnar Epithelium (figs. 1 and 2).This variety covers the main part of the intestinal tract, i.e. from the end of the oesophagus to the commencement of the rectum. It is also found lining the ducts of many glands. In a highly typical form it is found covering the villi of the small in- testine (fig. 1). The external layer of the cell is commonly modified to form a thin membrane showing a number of very fine radially 'arranged lines, which are probably the expression of very minute tubular perforations through the membrane. The close apposition of these cells to form a closed membrane is well seen when a surface covered by them is examined from above (fig. 3). The surfaces of the cells are then seen to form a mosaic, each cell area having a polyhedral shape. 2. Cubical Epithelium.This differs from the former in that the cells are less in height. It is found in many glands and ducts (e.g. the kidney), in the middle ear, choroid plexuses of the brain, &c. 3. Squamous or Flattened Epithelium (fig. 4).In this variety the cell is flattened, very thin and irregular in outline. It occurs as the covering epithelium of the alveoli of the lung, of the kidney glomerules and capsule, &c. The surface epithelial cells of a stratified epithelium are also of this type (fig. 4). Closely resembling these cells are those known as endothelial (see later). 4. Ciliated Epithelium (fig. 5).-The surface cells of many epithelial membranes are often provided with a number of very fine proto-FIG. 4. Squamous plasmic processes FIG. 5.Isolated Epithelial Cells from the or cilia. Most corn- ciliated Epithelial Mucous Membrane of the or cilia. the cells Cells from the Mouth. monly Trachea. are columnar, but other shapes are also found. During life the cilia are always in movement
706 uterus, oviduct, tubule, &c. In the instance of some cells there may be but a single process from the exposed surface of the cell, and then the process is usually of large size and length. It is then known as a flagellum. Such cells are common among the surface cells of many of the simple animal organisms. When the cells of an epithelial surface are arranged" several layers deep, we can again distinguish various types:I. Stratified Epithelium (figs. 6 and 7).This is found in the epithelium of the skin and of many mucous membranes (mouth, oesophagus, rectum, conjunctiva, vagina, &c.). Here the surface cells are very much flattened (squamous epithelium), those of the middle layer are polyhedral and those of the lowest layer are cubical or columnar. This type of epithelium is found covering surfaces commonly exposed to friction. The surface may be dry as in the skin, or moist, e.g. the mouth. The surface cells are constantly being rubbed off, and are then replaced by new cells growing up from below. Hence the deepest layer, that nearest the blood supply , is a formative layer, and"in successive stages from this we can trace the gradual transformation of these protoplasmic cells into scaly cells, which no longer show any sign of being alive. In the moist mucous surfaces the number of cells forming the epithelial layer is usually much smaller than in a dry stratified epithelium.2. Stratified Ciliated Epithelium., In this variety the superficial cells are ciliated and columnar, between the bases of these are found fusiform cells and the lowest cells are cubical or pyramidal. This epithelium is found lining parts of the respiratory passages, the vas deferens and the epididymis. 3. Transitional Epithelium (fig. 8).This variety of epithelium is found lining the bladder, and the appearance observed depends upon the contracted or distended state of the bladder from which the preparation was made. If the bladder was contracted the form seen in fig. 8 is obtained. The epithelium is in three or more layers, the superficial one being very characteristic. The cells are cubical and Considering epithelium from the point of view of function
special
work
Initially the epithelium cell might have all these functions, but later came specialization and therefore to most cells a specific work
Glandular Tissues.Every gland is formed by an ingrowth from an epithelial surface. This ingrowth may from the beginning possess a tubular structure, but in other instances Gland& may start as a solid column of cells which subsequently becomes tubulated. As growth proceeds, the column of cells may divide or give off offshoots, in which case a compound gland is formed. In many glands the number of branches is limited, in others (salivary, pancreas) a very large structure is finally formed by repeated growth and sub-division. As a rule
liver , this does occur when a reticulated compound gland is produced. In compound glands the more typical or secretory epithelium is found forming the terminal portion of each branch, and the uniting portions form ducts and are lined with a less modified type of epithelial cell.Glands are classified according to their shape. If the gland retains its shape as a tube throughout it is termed a tubular gland, simple tubular if there is no division (large intestine), compound tubular (fig. 9) if branching occurs (pyloric glands of stomach). In the simple tubular glands the gland may be coiled without losing its tubular form, e.g. in sweat glands. In the second main variety of gland the secretory portion is enlarged and the lumen variously increased in size. These are termed alveolar or saccular glands. They are again subdivided into simple or compound alveolar glands, as in the case of the tubular glands (fig. I(a). A further complication in the case of the alveolar glands may occur in the form of still smaller saccular diverticuli growing out from the main sacculi (fig. II). These are termed alveoli. The typical secretory cells of the glands are found lining the vas deferens, epididymis, a portion of the renal ium from the Skin. c, Columnar cells resting on the fibrous true skin. p, The so-called prickle cells. g, Stratum granulosum. h, Horny cells. s; Squamous horny cells. End of Article: EPITHELIAL, ENDOTHELIAL If you wish, you can link directly to this article.
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