Veterinary Histology and Embryology

SPECIAL FEATURES OF EPITHELIA

Glandular epithelium

• It refers to the lining and secretary cells of the glandular organs, which are developed as down growths from the epithelial layer in the underlying connective tissue, followed by structural modification and differentiation.

Neuro-epithelium

• It denotes the specialized epithelial cells in certain locations, which are concerned in reception of sensory stimuli.

Mucous membrane (Mucosa) 

• This lines all of the canals and cavities of body which connect with the exterior that is the line alimentary tract, the respiratory passages and the genitor-urinary tract.
• The essential parts of the mucous membrane are surface epithelium, basement membrane and a stratum of connective tissue called the lamina propria.
• The surface epithelium is of different types in the different systems and even in different parts of the same system.

General features

• Epithelia generally possess a remarkable capacity for repair and regeneration after injury.
• Certain epithelia, notably epidermis and intestinal epithelium, are continually recycled, with new cells being created by mitotic activity while old cells are sloughed off (from the surface of the epidermis or the tips of intestinal villi).