Tissues

Read pp. 109-138

Learning Outcomes:
2. List the characteristics of epithelial tissue.
3. Distinguish between simple, stratified, and pseudostratified epithelial
tissues. Distinguish between squamous, cuboidal, and columnar epithelial
cells.
4. List the types of cell connections found in epithelial cells. Describe the
functions of each.
5. Define gland. Distinguish between endocrine and exocrine glands.
6. Describe three ways in which exocrine glands release their secretions.
Give an example of each.
7. Explain how connective tissues are distinguished from other tissues.
8. List the major functions of connective tissues.
9. List the common cell types of connective tissue.
10. Describe the components of the extracellular matrix of connective
tissue.
11. List and describe the 6 types of adult connective tissue.
12. Describe the primary function of muscle tissue. List and describe the
three types of muscle tissue.
13. Describe the primary function of nervous tissue. List the two major
classes of nervous tissue cells.
14.
Compare mucous, serous, and synovial membranes according to type
of cavities they line and their secretions.

Histology: study of tissues

Tissue: collection of specialized cells that perform a relatively limited number of functions
Three Germ Layers
endoderm: the inner layer; forms the lining of the digestive tract and its derivatives
mesoderm: the middle layer; forms tissues such as bone, muscle, and blood vessels
ectoderm: outer layer; forms the skin
Four basic types of tissues in the human body:

epithelial

connective

muscle

neural

A. Epithelial:

includes epithelia and glands (tissues that secrete)

covers exposed surfaces

lines internal passageways and chambers

forms glands

Characteristics of epithelial tissue:

cellularity: cells packed tightly together, very little extracellular material

polarity: cells have two surfaces:

apical (exposed) top surface

basal (attached) bottom surface

attachment: basal surface attached to basal lamina (basement membrane)

avascularity: lack blood vessels

regeneration: continuous replacement of lost or damaged cells

Functions of epithelial tissue:

physical protection: protect against abrasion, dehydration, destruction by chemical

or biological agents

controls permeability: everything that enters the body must pass through epithelial
lining

provide sensation: extensively innervated

produce secretions

acting as a barrier

absorbing substances

Classification of epithelial tissue: based on # layers of cells or shape of exposed cells

free (apical) surface: not attached to other cells
lateral surface: attached to other epithelial cells
basal surface:
basement membrane: specialized extracellular material located at the base of epithelial cells and
separating them from the underlying connective tissues.
1. layering

simple: single layer of cells;

does not afford mechanical protection;

found in areas of absorption

extends from the basement membrane to the free surface

usually involved in diffusion, filtration, secretion, or absorbtion

stratified: more than one layer of cells;

does afford mechanical protection

only the basal layer attaches the deepest layer to the basement membrane

pseudostratified: all cells attached to basement membrane but not all cells extend to
apical surface

-pseudo: false

appears to be stratified but isnt

consist of one layer of cells, all attached to basement membrane

appear to be two layers because some cells are tall and extend to free surface;
others are shorter and dont extend to free surface

2. shape:

squamous: scale-like, flat thin, irregular shaped

like an egg: nucleus pokes out like the yolk

not a lot of space: least likely to produce proteins

function in diffusion or filtration

cuboidal: hexagonal or cube shaped cells-about as wide as they are tall

columnar: column (tall and thin, similar to a column) taller hexagonal shaped cells;
taller than they are wide

Fig. 4.2: Simple Epithelium

simple squamous
structure:
function:
location:
simple cuboidal
structure:
function:
location:
simple columnar
structure:
function:
location:
Fig. 4.3: Stratified Epithelium
stratified squamous

structure:
function:
location:
stratified cuboidal
structure:
function:
location:
stratified columnar
structure:
function:
location:
Fig. 4.4: Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium and Transitional Epithelium
pseudostratified columnar
structure:
function:
location:
transitional
structure:
function:
location:
Intercellular communications:
cells of epithelium are specialist at intercellular connections;
important so cells can "stick" together physically, work in unison and communicate with each
other
Types of Communication junctions:
1.

Adhesions: cells have structures that hold the to one another or to the basement
membrane

help form a permeability barrier

mechanically bind cells together (intercellular cement)

provide a mechanism for intercellular communication

tight junctions: block water and solutes

holds cell together and form a permeability barrier

formed by plasma membranes of adjacent cells that join one another in a jigsaw fashion
to make a tight seal

form a ring near the free surface of simple epithelial cells that completely surround each
cell and binds adjacent cells together to prevent the passage of materials between cells.

desmosomes: disc-shaped structures with esp. adhesive glycoproteins that bind cells to
one another and intermediate filaments that extend into the cytoplasm of the cells

point of adhesion between cells; each contains a dense plate at the point of adhesion and a
cementing extracellular material between the cells.

found in epithelial tissues that are subjected to stress

2. Communication:

gap junctions: plasma membrane proteins (connexons) interlock adjacent cell

membranes;

channel proteins allow molecules to pass between adjacent cells

fast communication

sharing of the cytoplasm

Glands: tissues that secrete something secretory organ from which secretions may be
released into the blood, into a cavity or onto a surface.
-can be as simple as a few cells or complex as an entire organ
1. Classification: according to distribution of secretion

endocrine: lack ducts

release secretions into interstitial fluids ECF

produce hormones:

substance secreted by endocrine tissues into the blood that acts on a target
tissue to produce a specific response.

enter blood stream and are distributed to target tissues

secretions released into bloodstream

exocrine: have ducts which are lined with epithelium

secretions discharged onto epithelial surface via ducts

ex: sweat glands

exocrine modes of secretion:

merocrine: secretions are packed in vesicles and leave via exocytosis;
no loss of cellular material
secrete substances as they are produced
pancreus
ex: sweat glands;
apocrine: secretions retained in cell,

 accumulate secretions when a portion of the cell pinches off

cells contribute cytoplasm to its secretions
ex. mammary glands
holocrine: secretions accumulate in cell,
released when cell ruptures and dies;
secretion is formed by the disintegration of entire cells
ex: sebaceous glands
B. Connective Tissue: tissue composed of specialized cells separated by abundant
extracellular matrix. Examples include bone, adipose, and blood.
Functions of connective tissue:

enclosing and separating other tissues

connecting tissues to one another

supporting and moving parts of the body

storing compounds

cushioning and insulating

transporting

protecting

Composition of connective tissue:

1. Living component

specialized cells: will give the different types of connective tissues identity

-blast: create the matrix

-cyte: maintain it

-clast: break it down for remodeling

chondro: cartilage

osteo: bone

fibroblast: most abundant cell type;

in every type of connective tissue proper;

produce the matrix

macrophages: any large, macronuclear phagocytic cell;

can phagocytize whole cells;

cleanup and protection

adipocytes: fat cell;

main structure of cell is the vesicle that stores lipids

undifferentiated mesenchymal cells: type of adult stem cell that persist in connective
tissue;

have potential to form multiple cell types

mesenchyme: can give rise to other types of cells; undifferentiated cells

melanocytes: cell found mainly in the stratum basale;

mast cells: commonly lie beneath membranes in loose connective tissue and along small
blood vessel organs;

contain chemicals that are released in response to injury;

play important roles in inflammation

lymphocytes: nongranulocytic white blood cell formed in lymphoid tissue;

migrate to other tissues;

defense cells

microphages: can alert when there is infection;

2.

produces the brown or black pigment melanin

can engulf smaller substances

Non-living component: known as the extracellular matrix

a.Extra cellular matrix has 3 major components:
i. protein fibers
ii. ground substance consisting of nonfibrous protein and other molecules
iii.

fluid

extracellular protein fibers

collagen: most common; strong and flexible (like a rope)

reticular: similar to collagen but shorter and thinner

elastin: elastic, rare; can stretch or recoil

ground substance (fluid)

consistency of maple syrup

dense

slows spread of pathogens

Types of Connective Tissue Proper(review table 4.6):

1. Loose connective tissue

packing material: fills space between organs

provides cushioning

2 examples:

adipose: consists of adipocytes, or fat cells, which contains large amounts of

lipids

reticular: fine network of reticular fibers irregularly arranged

provides a superstructure for lymphatic and homeopathic tissues

2. Dense connective tissue

most of its volume is protein fibers

regular: protein fibers oriented in one direction

irregular: interwoven fibers

supporting connective tissue

provides strong framework
matrix consists of fibers, ground substance, and sometimes deposits of insoluble salts
Cartilage: supporting connective tissue; chondrocytes in an avascular, rigid matrix
Bone: supporting connective tissue; osteocytes in mineralized matrix
fluid connective tissue
consists mainly of liquid matrix
blood and lymph
Blood: fluid connective tissue; blood cells and fragments in a liquid matrix
Muscle Tissue:
Main feature of muscle tissue is that it provides movement
Three types of muscle tissue:

skeletal:

structure: striated (banded)

function: moves the body; voluntary

location: attached to bone or other connective tissue

cardiac:

structure: striated

function: pumps the blood; involuntary

location: heart

smooth:

structure: NOT striated

function: involuntary

location: hollow organs such as stomach and intestines, and iris of eye

striated: marked by strips or bands

Neural Tissue
Main feature of neural tissue is its ability to conduct electrical signals
Two types of neural cells:

neurons: conductive cells; functional unit of nervous tissue (conducts electrical impulses)

neuroglia or glial cells: supporting cells to neurons

Membranes: (tissue level)

-covers surfaces of the body;
-usually composed of epithelial and connective tissue
1.

Mucous membrane

consists of epithelial cells

lines cavities and canals that open to and communicate with the outside of the body

ex: digestive, respiratory, excretory, and reproductive passages

contain glands that secrete mucus

functions vary by location

2.

protection, absorption, and secretion

Serous membrane

thin sheet composed of epithelial and connective tissues; it lines the cavities that do not
open to the outside of the body or contain glands but do secrete serous fluid.

line cavities that do not open to exterior and covers organs in cavities

ex: pericardial, pleural, and peritoneal cavities

do not contain glands but secrete a small amount of serous fluid

lubricates the serous membranes, making their surface slippery

fluid similar to lymph that is produced by and covers serous membrane;

lines closed cavities and covers organs in the cavities

two components: parietal (lines the cavity) and visceral (covers the organ)

protects organs from friction, holds them in place, and acts as a selectively permeable
barrier to prevent large amounts of fluid from accumulating w/in serous cavities

3.

Cutaneous Membrane

skin

4. Synovial membrane:

connective tissue ONLY

lines movable joints

produce synovial fluid

makes joints slippery and facilitates smooth movement within joint

provides lubrication

Inflammation

response that occurs when tissues are damaged

functions:
mobilizes the bodys defenses
isolates and destroys microorganisms and other injurious agents
removes foreign materials and damaged cells so that tissue repair can proceed

has 5 major manifestations:

redness
heat
swelling
pain
and disturbed function