Short notes on the structure of glandular epithelium

The Glandular epithelium consists of cells which are either cuboidal or columnar. These are specialised for the secretion of chemical substances like mucous or enzymes or hormones. The Epithe­lial cells fold in different ways to form the glands. Glands are classified into two basic types. These are unicellular glands and multicellular glands. Unicellular glands are isolated cells and are distributed between the columnlar cells. These are also called the goblet cells and secrete mucous. Unicellular glands are found in the epithelium lining the intestine.

Multicellular glands are made up of a number of cells. These are formed by the sinking of the glandular epithelial cells into the underlying connec­tive tissue. Multicellular glands are further classified into two types viz., tubular and secular.