 At the end of the lecture/ discussion,

students should be able to gain knowledge

and understanding on body tissues.
 Describe a tissue
 Describe the structure and function of
epithelial, connective and muscle tissue
 Outline the structure and function of
membranes
 Describe the structure and function of
endocrine and exocrine glands.
The tissues of the body consists of large numbers of
cells and they are classified according to the size,
shape and function of these cells. There are four
main types of tissue. They are:
 Epithelial tissue or epithelium
 Connective tissue
 Muscle tissue
 Nervous tissue
1.EPITHELIUM

 This group of tissues is found covering the body and

lining cavities, organs, tubes and glands .
 The cells usually lies on a basement membrane from
which they receive their nourishment.

 the cells forming epithelium are very closely parked

together and the intercellular substance known as
matrix is reduced to a minimum.
 Protection of underlying structure from, e.g.
dehydration, chemical and mechanical
damage.
 Secretion
 Absorption
 Help as specialised senses
 Filter waste product
 Simple
 Compound

SIMPLE EPITHELIUM; simple epithelium consist

of a single layer of cells and is divided into
several varieties. The varieties are named
according to the shape of the cells which
differ according to the functions they
perform.
 is composed of a single layer of flattened
cells. The cells fit closely together like flat
stones forming a pavement, in this way a very
smooth surface is formed.
Function

 It provides a thin smooth lining for the heart,

lungs, blood vessels, alveoli and lymphatic
vessels. Where it is known as endothelium.
 This is composed of cube shaped cells fitting closely
together. These cells form the tubes of the kidney and
some of the glands.
Function
 Secretory and absorption
 This is formed by a single layer of cylindrical
shaped cells, these cells are found forming
the lining of the stomach, intestines, gall
bladder and bile ducts.
Function
 Secretion and absorption
 Ciliated epithelium is formed by cylindrical
shaped cells but their free edges have minute
hair like structures called cilia.
Function
 The function of cilia is to perform a lashing
movement in one direction. The effect of their
activity varies to the site of the tissue e.g. nose,
trachea, bronchi.
 In the uterine tubes, their function is to propel
the ovum towards the uterus.
Compound epithelium consist of many layers
of cells and is divided in several varieties

 Stratified epithelium; this is composed of

many layers of cells of different shapes. The
deepest layers are composed of columnar
cells and the superficial layers are made up of
flattened cells. Stratified epithelium is divided
into;
 Non- keratinised stratified epithelium; this
type of stratified epithelium is found on wet
surfaces, which are subjected to wear and
tear e.g. conjunctive, lining of the mouth,
pharynx, oesophagus, and vagina.
 Keratinised stratified epithelium; this type is
found on dry surfaces that is skin, hair and
nails. It prevents injury and drying of
underlying cells.
 Transitional epithelium; this is composed of
several layers of pear shaped cells which
allow stretching. Transitional epithelium is
found in the pelvis of the kidney, lining the
Ureters and the bladder
 it is the most abundant tissue in the body.
Characteristics
 Cells that form connective tissue are widely
separated than those forming the epithelium
and the intercellular substance (matrix) is
consequently increased in amount.

 The matrix may be semi-solid, jelly like

consistency, dense and rigid depending upon
the position and function of the tissue.
 The connective tissues are sometimes
described as the supporting tissues of the
body because their functions are mainly
mechanical connecting together more active
tissues.
 Protection
 Transport
 Insulation
 Connective tissue, excluding blood, is found
in all organs supporting the specialised
tissue. The different types of cell involved
include;
 Fibroblasts; fibroblasts are large flat cells
with irregular processes. They produce
collagen and elastic fibres and a matrix of
extracellular material. Collagen fibres are
sometimes called reticulin fibres and are
found in very active tissue.....
 i.e. liver and lymphoid tissue. Fibroblasts are
active in tissue repair ( wound healing) where
they bind together the cut surfaces of
wounds or form granulation tissue following
tissue destruction.
 Fat cells; also called adipocytes , these occur
singly or in groups in many types of
connective tissue. They vary in size and shape
according to the amount of fat they contain.
Those that contain white fat are called
unilocular adipocytes while those that contain
brown fat are called multilocular adipocytes.
 These are irregular-shaped cells with
granules in the cytoplasm. They are
important for the body’s defence mechanisms
because they are actively phagocytic,
engulfing and digesting cell debris, bacteria
and other foreign bodies.
 Their activities are typical of moncytes in
blood, phagocytes in the alveoli of the lungs,
kuffer cells in the liver sinusoids and
microglial in the brain.
 leukocytes ; white blood cells are normally
found in small numbers in healthy connective
tissue but neutrophils migrate in significant
number during infection when they play an
important role in tissue defence.
 Plasma cells; these develop from
B-lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell.
They synthesise and secrete specific
antibodies into the blood and tissue.
 They are similar to basophil leukocytes ,
present in connective tissue and under
fibrous capsule of some organs. They
produce granules containing heparin,
histamine and other substances.
 Histamine is involved in local and general
inflammatory reactions, it stimulates the
secretion of gastric juice and is associated
with the development of allergies and
hypersensitivity states.
 Heparin prevents coagulation of blood, which
aid the passage of protective substances from
blood to affected tissue.
Areolar tissue;( loose connective tissue)
 Most generalised of all connective tissue. Its
matrix is described as semisolid. It is found
in almost every part of the body providing
elasticity and tensile strength. it connects and
supports other tissues e.g. under the skin ,
between muscles, supporting blood vessels
and nerves, in the alimentary canal, in glands
supporting secretory cells.
Adipose tissue
 it consists of fat cells filled with fat globules,
adipose tissue is found supporting organs
such as kidneys, eyes, between bundles of
muscle fibres and with areolar tissue under
the skin giving the body a smooth continuous
outline. There are two types;
White adipose tissue; makes up 20%—25% of
the body weight in well nourished adults. The
amount of adipose tissue in the body is
balanced between energy intake and
expenditure.
 Brown adipose tissue; it is present in the new
born, more extensively in capillary networks
than white adipose tissue. When brown tissue
is metabolised, it produces less energy and
considerably more heat than other fat,
contributing to the maintenance of body
temperature.
This contains more fibres and fewer cells than
loose connective tissue.
Fibrous tissue
 Its made up of mainly closely packed bundles
of collagen fibres with very little matrix.

 Fibrocytes are few in number and are found

lying in rows between the bundles of fibres.
Fibrous tissue is found;
 Forming ligaments which bind bones together
 As an outer protective covering for bone,
called periosteum
 As an outer protective covering of some
organs, e.g. the kidneys, lymph nodes and
the brain
 Forming muscle sheaths, called muscle
fascia, which extend to became tendon to
attach muscle to bone.
Elastic tissue

 It is capable of extension and recoil, consists

of mainly masses of elastic fibres secreted by
fibroblasts. It is found in organs where
stretching or alteration of shape is required
e.g. large blood vessel walls, the trachea,
bronchi and lungs.
 This is fluid connective tissue, which will be
described in detail later in circulatory system.
The matrix of blood is plasma.

LYMPHOID TISSUE
 This tissue has a semisolid matrix with fine
branching fibres, the cells are specialised
cells known as lymphocytes. Lymphoid tissue
is found in the lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils,
adenoids and vermiform appendix.
 The bone tissue is the one of the hardest
connective tissues in the body. There are two
types of bone tissue; compact bone tissue
and cancellous bone tissue which will be
discussed in Locomotor system. The cells of
the bone are osteocytes
 There are three main types of muscle tissue
described; striated or voluntary, smooth or
involuntary and cardiac muscle. These
different types of muscle tissue will be
discussed in detail in the muscular system.
 There are two types of tissue found in the
nervous system;
 Excitable cells- these are called neurones and
they initiate, receive, conduct and transmit
information
 Non- excitable cells- also known as glial
cells, these support the neurones
 The structure of the nervous system will be
described in detail in the chapter dealing with
the nervous system.
 It is a much stronger tissue than any of the
other connective tissue; the cells of cartilage
are called chondrocytes and are less
numerous.
 The cells are embedded in matrix reinforced
by collagen and elastic fibres. There are three
types; hyaline cartilage, fibro- cartilage and
elastic cartilage.
 it appears as a smooth bluish white tissue
with solid and smooth matrix. Hyaline
provides flexibility, support and smooth
surfaces for movement at joints.
 It is found on ends of long bones that form
joints
 Forming the costal cartilages, which attach
the ribs to the sternum
 Forming part of the larynx, trachea and
bronchi.
it consists of dense masses of white collagen fibres
in a matrix similar to that of hyaline cartilage
with the cells widely dispersed. It is tough,
slightly flexible, supporting tissue found;
 As pads between the bodies of the vertebrae, the
intervertebral discs.
 Between articulating surfaces of the bones of the
knee joint, called semilunar cartilage.
 On the rim of bony sockets of the hip and
shoulder joints, deepening the cavities without
restricting movement
 As ligaments joining bones.
 it consists of flexible yellow elastic fibres
lying in a solid matrix. The chondrocytes lie
between the fibres.

 It provides support and maintains shape of

pinna or lobe of the ear, the epiglottis and
part of the tunica media of blood vessel wall.
MEMBRANES
Some of the tissues, which line or cover organs
are described as membranes. The most
important membranes can be classified as
follows;
 Mucous membrane
 Serous membrane
 Synovial membrane
 This is the moist lining of the alimentary
tract, respiratory tract and genitourinary
tracts and is referred to as the mucosa.

 The cells forming these membranes produce

a secretion known as mucus. This secretion is
formed within the cytoplasm of the cells and
as it accumulates the cells became
distended and finally burst discharging the
mucus on to free surfaces. The cells have an
appearance of a goblet or flask and are
referred to as goblet cells. Organs lined by
mucous membranes have a moist slippery
surface. Mucus protects the lining membrane
from drying, mechanical and chemical injury.
In the respiratory tract it traps inhaled foreign
particles, preventing them from entering the
alveoli of the lungs.
 Serous membranes, or serosa, consists of a
simple Squamous cells over a thin layer of
loose connective tissue. It secrets a clear
watery fluid known as serious fluid. It
consists of a double layer of tissue; the
visceral layer surrounds organs (the viscera)
within the cavity. The parietal layer lines a
cavity in which the organs.
 The two layers are separated by the serous
fluid secreted by the epithelium.
 There are three sites where serous
membranes are found;
 The pleura lining the thoracic cavity and
surrounding the lungs
 The pericardium lining the pericardial cavity
and surrounding the heart
 The peritoneum lining the abdominal cavity
and surrounding abdominal organs.

 The serous fluid between the visceral and

parietal layers enables an organ to glide
freely within the cavity without being
damaged by friction between it and adjacent
organs.
 This membrane is found lining the joint
cavities surrounding tendons and ligaments.
It is made of a layer of fine flattened cells on
a layer of delicate connective tissue. Synovial
membrane secret a clear oily fluid called
synovial fluid.
 This fluid acts as a lubricant to the joint and
helps to maintain its stability. Synovial fluid
also help to nourish the articular cartilage,
synovial cells and remove damaging material
from within the joint cavity.
 A gland is an organ composed of cells which
secret fluid prepared from blood either for
use in the body or for excretion as waste
material.
Classification of glands
 Glands can be classified into two groups;
endocrine glands
exocrine glands
Endocrine glands; these produce internal
secretions but has no canal (ducts) to carry
the secretion away (ductless). secretion of
endocrine gland pour directly in the blood
and is called Hormone.
Exocrine glands; these discharge secretion
through ducts. Exocrine glands are
classified;1) according to their shape;
Tubular glands; which can be ;
 Simple tubular glands; in which the cell form
a single tube opening directly on the free
surface.
 Branched tubular glands; in which the deep
part of the tube becames branched having a
more complex appearance.
Sacular / alveolar glands; which can be ;

 Simple alveolar/ sacular gland; the cells

forming this gland are arranged in a little
spherical formation surrounding a cavity
known as saccule or alveolus.
 Compound sacular/ alveolar gland; also
known as Recemore glands. The cells forming
these glands form many alveoli. Thus
carrying away the secretion from each
alveolus, join up with other alveoli and open
into a large duct, which leads to the surface.
E.g. breast
2) according to the manner of secretion;
 Merocrine gland; in which secretion passes
through cell membrane without damage or
distraction of the gland e.g. sweat gland.
 Holocrine gland; in which secretion
accumulates in the cell and released when the
cell raptures or dies. E.g. sebaceous glands.
 Apocrine gland; in which secretion is both
Merocrine and Holocrine type. E.g. mammary
gland.

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