TISSUES

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Description and Location

In biology, tissue is a cellular organizational level between cells and a

complete organ. A tissue is an ensemble of similar cells and their extracellular
matrix from the same origin that together carry out a specific function. Organs are
then formed by the functional grouping together of multiple tissues.

Structure

Function

Human body tissue makes up organs and other body parts. There are four
main types of tissue: muscle, epithelial, connective and nervous. Each is made of
specialized cells that are grouped together according to structure and function.

EPITHELIAL TISSUES

DID YOU KNOW

Most epithelial tissue is described with two names. The first name describes
the number of cell layers present and the second describes the shape of the cells.
For example, simple squamous epithelial tissue describes a single layer of cells that
are flat and scale-like in shape.

Description

identified by both the number of layers and the shape of the cells in the
upper layers. There are eight basic types of epithelium: six of them are identified
based on both the number of cells and their shape; two of them are named by the
type of cell (squamous) found in them. Epithelial tissue is classified based on the
number of cells, the shape of those cells, and the types of those cells.

Structure

Location

Epithelia tissue forms boundaries between different environments, and nearly

all substances must pass through the epithelium.

Function

Protection for the underlying tissues from radiation, desiccation, toxins, and
physical trauma.
 Absorption of substances in the digestive tract lining with distinct
modifications.

Regulation and excretion of chemicals between the underlying tissues and

the body cavity.

The secretion of hormones into the blood vascular system. The secretion of
sweat, mucus, enzymes, and other products that are delivered by ducts come from
the glandular epithelium.

The detection of sensation.

Simple squamous epithelium

Description

Simple squamous epithelium cells are flat in shape and arranged in a single
layer. This single layer is thin enough to form a membrane that compounds can
move through via passive diffusion.

Structure

Location

Air sacs of the lungs and the lining of the heart, blood vessels and lymphatic
vessels

Function

Allows materials to pass through by diffusion and filtration, and secretes

lubricating substances

Simple cuboidal epithelium

Description

Simple cuboidal epithelium consists of a single layer cells that are as tall as
they are wide. The important functions of the simple cuboidal epithelium are
secretion and absorption.

Structure

Location

In ducts and secretory portions of small glands and in kidney tubules

Function

Secretes and absorbs

 Simple columnar epithelium

Description

Simple columnar epithelium is a single row of tall, closely packed cells,

aligned in a row. They possess cellular extensions (e.g., microvilli in the small
intestine, or the cilia found almost exclusively in the female reproductive tract).

Structure

Location

Ciliated tissues including the bronchi, uterine tubes, and uterus; smooth
(nonciliated tissues) are in the digestive tract bladder

Function

Absorbs; it also secretes mucous and enzymes.

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium

Description

These are simple columnar epithelial cells whose nuclei appear at different
heights, giving the misleading (hence pseudo) impression that the epithelium is
stratified when the cells are viewed in cross section.

Pseudostratified epithelium can also possess fine hair-like extensions of their

apical (luminal) membrane called cilia. In this case, the epithelium is described as
ciliated pseudostratified epithelium.

Structure

Location

Ciliated tissue lines the trachea and much of the upper respiratory tract

Function

Secrete mucous; ciliated tissue moves mucous

Stratified squamous epithelium

Description

consists of squamous (flattened) epithelial cells arranged in layers upon a

basal membrane. Only one layer is in contact with the basement membrane; the
other layers adhere to one another to maintain structural integrity.
Structure

Location

Lines the esophagus, mouth, and vagina

Function

Protects against abrasion

Stratified cuboidal epithelium

Description

is a type of epithelial tissue composed of multiple layers of cube-shaped cells.

Only the most superficial layer is made up of cuboidal cells, and the other layers
can be cells of other types.

Structure

Location

Sweat glands, salivary glands, and mammary glands

Function

Protective tissue

Stratified columnar epithelium

Description

is a rare type of epithelial tissue composed of column shaped cells arranged

in multiple layers. Stratified columnar epithelia are found in the conjunctiva of the
eye, in parts of the pharynx, anus, the uterus, and the male urethra and vas
deferens.

Structure

Location

The male urethra and the ducts of some glands.

Function

Secretes and protects

Transitional epithelium

Description
 Transitional epithelia are found in tissues that stretch and it can appear to be
stratified cuboidal when the tissue is not stretched, or stratified squamous when the
organ is distended and the tissue stretches.

Structure

Location

Lines the bladder, urethra and ureters

Function

Allows the urinary organs to expand and stretch

MUSCULAR TISSUES

Description and Location

Muscle is a soft tissue that is highly specialized for the production of tension
which results in the generation of force. Muscle cells, or myocytes, contain
myofibrils comprised of actin and myosin myofilaments which slide past each other
producing tension that changes the shape of the myocyte. Numerous myocytes
make up muscle tissue and the controlled production of tension in these cells can
generate significant force.

Structure

Function

Muscle tissue can be classified functionally, voluntary or involuntary and

morphologically striated or non-striated. Voluntary refers to whether the muscle is
under conscious control, striation refers to the presence of visible banding within
myocytes which occurs due to organization of myofibrils to produce a constant
direction of tension.

Skeletal Muscle

Description

Skeletal muscle mainly attaches to the skeletal system via tendons to

maintain posture and control movement for example contraction of the biceps
muscle, attached to the scapula and radius, will raise the forearm. Some skeletal
muscle can attach directly to other muscles or the skin, as seen in the face where
numerous muscles control facial expression.

Structure
Location

Skeletal muscles and some epithelial tissue.

Function

Skeletal muscle is under voluntary control, although this can be subconscious

for example when maintaining posture or balance. Morphologically skeletal
myocytes are elongated and tubular and appear striated with multiple peripheral
nuclei

Cardiac Muscle Tissue

Description

As with skeletal muscle cardiac muscle is striated, however it is not

consciously controlled and so is involuntary. Cardiac muscle can be further
differentiated from skeletal muscle by the presence of intercalated discs which
control the synchronized contraction of cardiac tissues. Cardiac myocytes are
shorter than skeletal equivalents and contain only one or two centrally located
nuclei.

Structure

Location

Found only in the heart

Function

cardiac contractions pump blood throughout the body and maintain blood
pressure.

Smooth Muscle Tissue

Description

Smooth muscle is non-striated, although it contains the same myofilaments

they are just organized differently, and involuntary. Smooth muscle myocytes are
spindle shaped with a single centrally located nucleus.

Structure

Location

Smooth muscle tissue is found associated with numerous other organs and
tissue systems such as the digestive system or respiratory system.

Function
 It plays an important role in the regulation of flow in such tissues for example
aiding the movement of food through the digestive system via peristalsis.

CONNECTIVE TISSUE

Description and Location

Connective tissue (CT) is a one of the four main classes of tissues. Although it
is the most abundant and widely distributed of the primary tissues, the amount of
connective tissue in a particular organ varies. Like to the timber framing of a house,
the connective tissue provides structure and support throughout the body.

3 Main Components

Ground substance

Fibers

Cells

Three types of fibers are found in connective tissue:

Collagen

Elastic fibers

Reticular fibers

Structure

Function

Connective tissue is incredibly diverse and contributes to energy storage, the

protection of organs, and the body’s structural integrity.

Binding and supporting.

Protecting.

Insulating.

Storing reserve fuel.

Transporting substances within the body.

Adipose Connective Tissue

Description
Structure

Location

Function

Dense Regular Connective Tissue

Description

This is loose connective tissue composed of adipocytes. It is technically

composed of roughly only 80% fat.

Structure

Location

The two types of adipose tissue are white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown
adipose tissue (BAT). Adipose tissue is found in specific locations, referred to as
adipose depots.

Function

Its main role is to store energy in the form of lipids, although it also cushions
and insulates the body.

Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

Description

This consists of closely packed bundles of collagen fibers running in the same
direction. These collagen fibers are slightly wavy and can stretch a little bit.

Structure

Location

With the tensile strength of collagen, this tissue forms tendons, aponeurosis
and ligaments.

Function

This tissue forms the fascia, which is a fibrous membrane that wraps around
the muscles, blood vessels, and nerves.

Hyaline Cartilage

Description
 This is is the most abundant of all cartilage in the body. Its matrix appears
transparent or glassy when viewed under a microscope.

Structure

Location

It is a major part of the embryonic skeleton, the costal cartilages of the ribs,
and the cartilage of the nose, trachea, and larynx

Function

It provides strong support while providing pads for shock absorption.

Fluid Connective Tissue

Description

This is considered a specialized form of connective tissue. It is an atypical

connective tissue since it does not bind, connect, or network with any body cells. It
is made up of blood cells and is surrounded by a nonliving fluid called plasma.

Structure

Location

Blood

Function

Blood is a bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances, such as

nutrients and oxygen, to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away
from those same cells.

NERVOUS TISSUE

Description and Location

Nervous tissue is the main component of the nervous system, which includes
the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Nervous tissue is one of four major classes of
tissues. It is specialized tissue found in the central nervous system and the
peripheral nervous system. It consists of neurons and supporting cells called
neuroglia.

Structure

Function
 The nervous system is responsible for the control of the body and the
communication among its parts. Nervous tissue contains two categories of cells—
neurons and neuroglia.

Neuroglia

Description

Neuroglia, also called glial cell or glia, any of several types of cell that
function primarily to support neurons. The term neuroglia means “nerve glue.”. For
instance, after high levels of neuronal activity neuroglial cells can take up and
spatially buffer potassium ions and thus maintain normal neuronal function.

(1) astrocytes, subdivided into fibrous and protoplasmic types, (2) oligodendrocytes,
subdivided into interfascicular and perineuronal types, (3) microglia, and (4)
ependymal cells.

Structure

Location

Neuroglia exceed the number of neurons in the nervous system by at least 10

to 1. Neuroglia exist in the nervous systems of invertebrates as well as vertebrates

Function

These cells that form myelin, protect, support, and maintain equilibrium in
your nervous system are called glial cells.

Neurons

Description

The core component of the nervous system in general, and the brain in
particular, is the neuron or nerve cell, the “brain cells” of popular language. A
neuron is an electrically excitable cell

Structure

Location

Nervous system CNS and PNS

Function

processes and transmits information by electro-chemical signalling.