Chapter 4

Tissues

Tissues

Groups of cells with common embryonic

origin and functions

Histology is the science that deals with the

study of tissues.

4 basic types:

Epithelial
Connective
Muscular
Nervous

Epithelial Tissue

Cells lie close together in continuous sheets

with little extracellular material

Cover surfaces and line cavities; always a free

(apical) surface
Forms glands

Has no blood vessels (is avascular)

Has a nerve supply

Has a high capacity for cell division

Surfaces of epithelial cells, structure and location

of the basement membrane.

Categories

Arrangement of cells in layers

Simple epithelium: 1 layer of cells

Stratified Epithelium: more than 1 layer of cells

Cell Shapes

Squamous
Cuboidal
Columnar
Transitional (change shape)

Cell shapes and arrangement of layers

Simple Epithelium

Squamous= single layer of flat cells.

Important for filtration (kidneys) or diffusion
(lungs, capillaries)
Called endothelium when lining heart, blood
and lymphatic vessels
Called mesothelium when in serous
membranes

Simple Squamous Epithelium

Single layer of flat cells

Simple Squamous Epithelium

Single layer of flat cells

Simple Squamous Epithelium

Single layer of flat cells

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

Single layer of cube-shaped cells; round,

centrally located nucleus.
Covers surface of ovary; anterior surface of lens
of the eye; forms pigmented epithelium at
posterior surface of retina of the eye, lines
kidney tubules and smaller ducts of many
glands; secreting portion of some glands
Function: Secretion and absorption.

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

Cube-shaped cells, rounded nuclei

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

Simple Columnar Epithelium

Nonciliated

Simple Columnar Epithelium

Ciliated

Pseudostratified Columnar

Appears stratified; nuclei at various levels

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Apical layer cells are flat

Deep layers vary from cuboidal to columnar
Cells in the basal layer divide and move upward
toward apical surface
Found in areas of surface wear and tear
Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
develops tough layer of keratin in apical layer
Nonkeratinized stratified squamous
epithelium does not contain large amounts of
keratin, constantly moistened by mucus

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Keratinized (dead) surface cells

Stratified Cuboidal Epithelium

Rare

Stratified Columnar Epithelium

Rare

Transitional Epithelium

Variable in appearance; cells can stretch

Transitional Epithelium

Variable in appearance; cells can stretch

Glandular Epithelium

Main function is secretion

Gland may consist of a single cell or a group
of cells that secrete substances into ducts
(tubes), onto a surface, or into the blood.
Glands classification

Endocrine = hormones

Exocrine = secrete products into ducts that

empty onto the surface

Glandular Epithelium-Endocrine

Glandular Epithelium-Exocrine

Connective Tissue

Most abundant tissue type; typically found

between other tissues
Two basic elements: extracellular matrix and
cells.
Cell types are diverse as in matrix produced
by these cells
Diverse functions that vary by specific tissue
type
Has good blood supply; exception: cartilage
is avascular

Connective Tissue Cells Vary with

Tissue Type

Fibroblasts: present in several tissues

Macrophages: formed from monocytes

Secrete fibers
Engulf bacteria and cell debris by phagocytosis

Plasma cells: develop from B lymphocytes

Make antibodies

Connective Tissue Cells

Mast cells: near blood cells

Part of an inflammatory reaction:
produce histamine that dilates blood
vessels
Adipocytes: fat cells or adipose cells
Store triglycerides (fat) for energy and
provide protection

Connective Tissue Cells

White blood cells: in response to certain

conditions they migrate from blood into
connective tissues.

neutrophils gather at sites of infection, and

eosinophils migrate to sites of parasitic invasions
and allergic responses.

Connective Tissue

Extracellular Matrix
Fluid, gel or solid plus protein fibers
two major components: ground
substance and fibers
Fibers: 3 types
Collagen fibers: very strong and flexible
Elastic fibers: smaller stretch and return to
original length
Reticular fibers: provide support and strength

Found in basement membranes and organ

support

Marfan syndrome

inherited disorder caused by a defective fibrillin gene.

Abnormal development of elastic fibers.
life-threatening complication: weakening of the aorta
which can suddenly burst.

Classification of Connective Tissues

I. Embryonic connective tissues

A. Mesenchyme = forms almost all other types of

connective tissue.
B. Mucous connective tissue = umbilical cord of
fetus, support.

II. Mature connective tissues

A. Loose connective tissues

1. Areolar connective tissue

2. Adipose tissue
3. Reticular connective tissue

Classification of Connective Tissues

II. Mature connective tissues

B. Dense connective tissues

1. Dense regular connective tissue

2. Dense irregular connective tissue

3. Elastic connective tissue

C. Cartilage

1. Hyaline cartilage
2. Fibrocartilage
3. Elastic cartilage

Classification of Connective Tissues

II. Mature connective tissues

D. Bone tissue
E. Liquid connective tissue
1. Blood tissue
2. Lymph

A. Loose connective tissues

Areola Connective Tissue - called packing material of
the body. Provide strength, elasticity, support.

A. Loose connective tissues

Adipose Tissue - derived from fibroblasts (adipocytes),
reduces heat loss & serves as an energy reserve.

B. Loose connective tissues

Reticular Connective Tissue - forms stroma (supporting
network)of organs, removes worn-out blood cells in spleen
and microbes in lymph nodes.

Classification

Dense Connective tissue

Dense regular
Dense irregular
Elastic

B. Dense Connective Tissues

Dense Regular Connective Tissue - forms tendons, most
ligaments, and aponeuroses. Provides strong attachment
between various structures.

B. Dense Connective Tissues

Dense Irregular Connective Tissue - provides tensile
(pulling) strength in many directions.

C. Elastic Connective Tissue

- predominantly elastic fibers with fibroblasts, allows
stretching of various organs.

Cartilage

Dense network of collagen and elastic fibers

embedded in chondroitin sulfate
Stronger than dense fibrous connective tissue
Cells: chondrocytes

Very few; occur singly or in groups

Found in spaces called lacunae within matrix

Has no blood vessels or nerves

Surrounded by perichondrium which does have
blood vessels and nerves
a support tissue in the body & precursor to bone

Classification: Cartilage

Types

Hyaline: appears clear because fibers are not

easily visible

Fibrocartilage: fibers visible

Example: at ends of long bones, fetal skeleton

Strongest type
Example: vertebral discs, knee cartilages (menisci)

Elastic: chondrocytes in threadlike elastic

network

Example: ear cartilage

Hyaline Cartilage
Most abundant & the weakest type of cartilage.
Provides smooth surfaces for movement at joints, flexibility,
and support .

Fibrocartilage
Support and joining structures together. Strongest type of
cartilage.

Elastic Cartilage
Provides strength and elasticity; maintains shape of certain
structures.

Bone: Osseous Tissue

Forms most of the skeleton

Supports, protects, and allows movements;
site of blood formation and storage of
minerals
Dense matrix made rigid by calcium and
phosphorus salts
Details in Chapter 6

Bone: Osseous Tissue

Bone tissue is classified as:

compact = basic unit is osteon or haversian sys

spongy = lacks osteons. Consists of columns of

bone called trabeculae

Liquid Connective Tissue

Blood: found within blood vessels

Extracellular matrix is called blood plasma

Cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets
More in chapter 19

Lymph: found within lymph vessels

Matrix is lymph: similar to plasma but with much

less protein
Some white blood cells (lymphocytes)
More in chapter 22

Mature Connective Tissues: Blood

Body Membranes: Four Types

Mucous membranes: line body cavities

and passageways open to the exterior

Secrete mucus

Serous membranes: line closed cavities

and surrounds organs located there

Serous fluid reduces friction

Parietal and visceral layers
Pleura (around lungs), pericardium (around
heart), peritoneum (around abdominal
organs)

Mucous membrane
lubricates food as it moves through the GIT. Secretes some
enzymes needed for digestion.

Serous membrane

serous fluid (watery lubricant ) that allows organs to glide

easily over one another or to slide against the walls of
cavities.

Body Membranes: Four Types

Cutaneous membranes: skin (chapter 5)

Synovial membranes: line cavities of
most joints

Made of connective tissues (no epithelium)

Secrete synovial fluid that reduces friction
and lubricates and nourishes cartilage

Cutaneous Membrane

covers the entire surface of the body and consists

of a superficial portion called the epidermis and a

deeper portion called the dermis

Synovial Membranes

Synovial fluid lubricates and nourishes the cartilage

covering the bones at movable joints, contains
macrophages that remove microbes

Muscular Tissue

Cells consist of elongated cells called muscle fibers or

myocytes
Functions
Motion, posture, heat production, protection.
ThreeTypes
Skeletal muscle: pulls on bones allowing body
movements
Cardiac muscle: forms wall of heart; pumps blood
through blood vessels
Smooth muscle: found in walls of hollow organs
such as stomach and bladder

Skeletal Muscle Tissue

Cardiac Muscle Tissue

Smooth Muscle Tissue

Nervous Tissue

Functions: conduct nerve impulses

Types of cells

Neurons (nerve cells): convert stimuli into nerve

impulses (action potentials), and conduct them
Neuroglia: do not generate nerve impulses, but
serve supportive functions

Nervous Tissue

Tissue Repair

New cells from stroma or parenchyma

Epithelial cells originate from stem cells in
defined areas of tissue layer
Bone regenerates readily, cartilage poorly
Muscular tissue can replace cells but slowly
Nerve tissue is poorest at replacement
although some stem cells seem to be
available
Replacement from stroma scar tissue with
functional loss.

Factors Affecting Tissue Repair

Nutrition (protein, Vit.)

Blood circulation
Age