Histology

Tissues

Groups of cells with common embryonic origin and

functions
4 basic types:
Epithelial
Connective
Muscular
Nervous

EPITHELIAL TISSUES

Tissues that line and cover body surfaces and may

also form glands

Derived from the all three embryonic germ layers
TWO MAIN GROUPS

MEMBRANE EPITHELIA

GLANDULAR EPITHELIA

EPITHELIAL TISSUES

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)

Classification based on the number of cells

1. Simple
2. stratified

Simple Epithelium

Squamous= single layer of flat cells.

Important for filtration (kidneys) or diffusion

(lungs, capillaries)
Seen in: Bowmans Capsule, Endothelium, Air

Sacs, Mesothelium

Simple Squamous Epithelium

Simple Squamous Epithelium

Simple Squamous Epithelium

Single layer of flat cells

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

Single Layer of Cuboidal Cells

Function: Secretion, Absorption, Transportation
Sources: Kidney Tubules, Thyroid Follicle

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

Cube-shaped cells, rounded nuclei

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

Cube-shaped cells, rounded nuclei

SIMPLE CUBOIDAL
EPITHELIUM

SIMPLE COLUMNAR
EPITHELIUM

SIMPLE COLUMNAR EPITHELIUM WITH

GOBLET CELLS AND MICROVILLI

PSEUDOSTRATIFIED CILIATED COLUMNAR EPITHELIUM WITH

GOBLET CELLS

PSEUDOSTRATIFIED COLUMNAR EPITHELIUM WITH

STEREOCILIA

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

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

TRANSITIONAL EPITHELIUM

STRATIFIED CUBOIDAL
EPITHELIUM

STRATIFIED COLUMNAR
EPITHELIUM

Glandular Epithelium-Endocrine

Glandular Epithelium-Endocrine

Glandular EpitheliumExocrine

Glandular EpitheliumExocrine

Connective Tissue

Most abundant tissue type; typically found

between other tissues

Function: Binding, Protection, Support
Diverse functions that vary by specific tissue type
Has good blood supply; exception: cartilage is

avascular

Connective Tissue

Composition:
1. Cells
2. Fibers
3. Matrix

Connective Tissue Cells Vary with

Tissue Type

Fibroblasts: present in several tissues

Secrete fibers & ground substance

Macrophages: formed from monocytes

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

Extracellular Matrix

Fluid, gel or solid plus protein fibers

Ground substance found between cells and fibers

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

Connective Tissue

Loose Connective Tissue

Areolar
Adipose
Reticular

Areolar Connective Tissue

Areola Connective Tissue

Adipose Tissue

Adipose Tissue

Reticular Connective
Tissue

Reticular Connective
Tissue

Classification

Dense Connective tissue

Dense regular

Dense irregular
Elastic

Dense Regular Connective Tissue

Dense Regular Connective Tissue

Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

Elastic Connective Tissue

Elastic Connective Tissue

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

Classification: Cartilage

Types
Hyaline: appears clear because fibers are not easily

visible
Example: at ends of long bones, fetal skeleton

Fibrocartilage: fibers visible

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

Elastic: chondrocytes in threadlike elastic network

Example: ear cartilage

Hyaline Cartilage

Hyaline Cartilage

Fibrocartilage

Fibrocartilage

Elastic Cartilage

Elastic Cartilage

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

Liquid Connective Tissue

Blood: found within blood vessels

Matrix is plasma

Cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets

Lymph: found within lymph vessels

Matrix is lymph: similar to plasma but with much

less protein

Some white blood cells

Muscular Tissue
Functions

Produce movements, release heat

Cells

Elongated, contractile (called muscle

fibers)

Nervous Tissue

Function: conduct nerve impulses

Properties:
a. Irritability
b. Conductivity

Types of cells
Neurons: convert stimuli into nerve impulses and
conduct them
Neuroglia: do not generate nerve impulses, but serve
supportive functions