Histology

Epithelial Tissue: Glandular

Epithelia
Faculty of Pharmacy
Course Name: Histology Course Code: PHAR 110
First Grade/ Spring Semester 2024-2025
Lecture 3/ 21st April 2025
MSc Zaynab Yaseen Ahmed
What did you learn in
the Previous Lecture?
Outlines
• What is Glandular Epithelium?
• Endocrine Vs Exocrine Glands.
• Methods of Gland Secretion.
• Glands According to Cell Number.
• Simple and Compound Glands.
• Specializations of Epithelial Cell Surfaces; Apical, Lateral and Basal.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this lecture, students should be able to:
• Define glandular epithelium and describe its structural and functional roles in the
body.
• Differentiate between endocrine and exocrine glands based on structure, function,
and mode of secretion.
• Classify glands according to their mode of secretion (merocrine, apocrine,
holocrine) and by the number of cells (unicellular vs. multicellular).
• Describe the structural differences between simple and compound glands with
examples.
• Identify and explain the specializations of the epithelial cell surfaces; apical,
lateral, and basal, and their functional significance.
What is Glandular Epithelium?
• Glandular epithelium is a type of epithelial tissue specialized for
secretion.
• A Gland consists of one or more cells that produce and release a substance
known as a secretion.

Glands can be classified based on the following criteria:

• Site of Product Release
1. Endocrine glands.
2. Exocrine glands.
What is Glandular Epithelium?
• Mode of Secretion
1. Merocrine glands.
2. Apocrine glands.
3. Holocrine glands.

• Number of Cells
1. Unicellular glands.
2. Multicellular glands.
Exocrine Vs Endocrine Glands
• Exocrine Glands: release their secretory products into ducts
that open onto the surface of a covering or lining epithelium.
Examples include sweat glands, sebaceous glands, and
salivary glands.

• Endocrine Glands: are ductless glands that release their

secretions directly into the surrounding interstitial fluid (ISF),
from where they diffuse into the bloodstream.
• Their secretions are known as hormones, which regulate
various physiological processes throughout the body.
Examples include the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, and
adrenal glands.
Exocrine Vs Endocrine Glands
Endocrine Glands
• Release their products directly into the
blood or extracellular fluid (ECF).
• Their secretions are called hormones.
• Ductless.

Exocrine Glands
• Release their products onto body surfaces
or into body cavities.
• Secreted through ducts.
Methods of Gland Secretion
• Merocrine Glands
In merocrine glands, secretory products are released
by exocytosis, meaning the secretion exits the cell
without any loss of cellular material.

• The cell remains intact and undamaged during the

process.

• Examples: Salivary glands, pancreas.

Methods of Gland Secretion
• Apocrine Glands
In apocrine glands, secretory products are released
through the shedding of the apical portion of the
cell.

• This process involves the loss of both cytoplasm

and the secretory product.

• Examples: Apocrine sweat glands and mammary

glands.
Methods of Gland Secretion
• Holocrine Glands
In holocrine glands, the entire cell dies and
disintegrates during the secretion process.

• The secretory product is released along with the

cell's contents after cell death.

• This method involves the destruction of the

secreting cells.

• Example: Sebaceous glands (oil glands of the

skin)
Glands According to Cell Number
• Unicellular Glands
Composed of single, isolated glandular cells.

• The most common example is the goblet cell, found

in the lining of the small intestine and respiratory
tract.

• Goblet cells secrete mucus, which helps in

lubrication and protection of epithelial surfaces.
 Glands According to Cell Number
• Multicellular Glands
Composed of groups of cells organized into a
secretory portion and a duct portion.

• Classified based on the structure of their ducts and

secretory units:
1. Simple Glands
• Have a single, unbranched duct.
• The secretory portion may be:
1. Tubular (e.g., simple tubular, simple coiled
tubular, or simple branched tubular)
2. Acinar (also called alveolar)
 Glands According to Cell Number
• Compound Glands
• Have branched ducts that divide repeatedly
• The secretory portion may be:
1. Tubular
2. Acinar (alveolar)
3. Tubuloacinar (a combination of both)
Glands According to Cell Number
Simple Glands
• Simple Tubular Glands:
The secretory portion is tubular and connected to a
single, straight, unbranched duct.
• Example: Intestinal glands

• Simple Coiled Tubular Glands:

The secretory portion is a single, coiled tube that
opens into a single, unbranched duct.
• Example: Sweat glands
Simple Glands
• Simple Branched Tubular Glands:
The secretory portion consists of multiple tubular
branches that connect to a single, unbranched duct.
• Example: Gastric glands (stomach)

• Simple Acinar (Alveolar) Glands:

• The secretory portion is a single, rounded or flask-
shaped (acinar/alveolar) structure that opens into
a single, unbranched duct.
• Example: Penile glands (male reproductive system)
Simple Glands
• Simple Branched Acinar Glands:
The secretory portion is made up of multiple acinar
(rounded) units that open into a single, unbranched
duct.
• Example: Sebaceous glands
Compound Glands
• Compound Tubular Glands:
The secretory portion consists of branched tubular
structures that open into multiple branched ducts.
• Example: Brunner’s glands (duodenum)

• Compound Acinar (Alveolar) Glands:

• The secretory portion is composed of multiple
acinar (rounded or flask-shaped) units that empty
into a branched duct system.
• Example: Parotid salivary gland
Compound Glands
Compound Glands
• Compound Tubuloacinar Glands:
The secretory portion consists of tubular and acinar
(flask-shaped) components that drain into a branched
duct system.
• Example: Submandibular salivary gland
Specializations of Epithelial Cell Surfaces
Each epithelial cell has three distinct surfaces: apical, lateral, and basal.

• Specializations of the Apical Surface

The apical surface, which faces the lumen or external environment, often contains specialized structures
that aid in either increasing surface area for absorption or in moving substances.

These apical specializations include:

1. Cilia: Hair-like projections that move fluid, mucus, or particles across the cell surface.
2. Flagella: Longer, whip-like structures used for cell movement (e.g., sperm cells).
3. Stereocilia: Long, non-motile microvilli involved in absorption and sensory functions.
4. Microvilli: Tiny, finger-like projections that greatly increase surface area to enhance absorption.
Specializations of Epithelial Cell Surfaces
Specializations of Epithelial Cell Surfaces
Specializations of Epithelial Cell Surfaces
• Specializations of the Lateral Surfaces
The lateral membrane of many epithelial cells contains specialized membrane modifications known as
intercellular junctions. These junctions help maintain the integrity of the epithelial layer by providing
structural support and regulating the passage of substances between cells.
From the apex toward the base, the main types of junctions are:
1. Zonula Occludens (Tight Junctions): Form a seal that prevents the passage of materials between
adjacent cells.
2. Zonula Adherens (Adherens Junctions): Provide mechanical attachment between adjacent cells
via actin filaments.
3. Desmosomes (Macula Adherens): Button-like structures that provide strong adhesion by
connecting intermediate filaments between cells.
4. Hemidesmosomes: Anchor epithelial cells to the underlying basement membrane.
5. Gap Junctions: Allow direct communication between cells through channels that permit the
exchange of ions and small molecules.
Specializations of Epithelial Cell Surfaces
Specializations of Epithelial Cell Surfaces
Specializations of Epithelial Cell Surfaces
• Basal Lamina & Basement Membrane
Epithelial cells are separated from the underlying connective tissue by a specialized sheet of
extracellular material known as the basal lamina.
• The basal lamina is ultrathin (about 20–100 nm thick) and is visible only under an electron
microscope. It plays a crucial role in structural support, filtration, and influencing cell behavior.

The basal lamina is composed of:

1. Lamina densa: A dense, central layer made up of a delicate network of very fine fibrils.
2. Lamina lucida: An electron-lucent (clear) layer present on one or both sides of the lamina densa.

• Together with additional layers from the underlying connective tissue, the basal lamina contributes to
forming the basement membrane, which is visible under the light microscope.
Specializations of Epithelial Cell Surfaces
Specializations of Epithelial Cell Surfaces
Class Activity
Questions? Comments?
Thank You!