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Textbook of

General Anatomy
Textbook of
General Anatomy
Second Edition
Shobha Rawlani MBBS MS
Professor and Head
Department of Anatomy
Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Memorial Medical College
Amravati, Maharashtra, India
Formerly
Professor
Department of Anatomy
Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences
Sevagram, Maharashtra, India
Professor
Department of Anatomy
Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College
Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha, Maharashtra, India

Shivlal Rawlani BDS MDS


Associate Professor and Head
Department of Dentistry
Kasturba Health Society (KHS)/Mahatma Gandhi Institute of
Medical Sciences
Sevagram, Maharashtra, India
Formerly
Associate Professor
Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology
Sharad Pawar Dental College
Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences (DMIMS)
Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha, Maharashtra, India

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Textbook of General Anatomy

First Edition: 2011


Second Edition: 2013
ISBN: 978-93-5090-507-4
Printed at
Dedicated to
Our beloved parents
Shri Keshawdas Doultani
Smt Vidya Doultani
and
Our Son-Sudhir Rawlani
Daughter-Sujata Rawlani
Preface to the Second Edition

Textbook of General Anatomy provides the basic knowledge of human


gross anatomy, which is important for every student of medical,
dental, physiotherapy and pharmacy faculties. This book is also useful
for postgraduate entrance examinations. The students pursuing
postgraduation in anatomy will also find this book very beneficial.
In this book, attempt has been made to introduce various structures
of human body, i.e. connective tissue, cartilage, bone, joints, muscles,
blood vessels, nerves, lymphatic system, skin and appendages, etc. in
simple language with plenty of examples.
In this second edition, we have tried to correct the errors of the first
edition. In this edition, all the diagrams are made colorful. We will be
very thankful to the teachers and the students for sending suggestions
and drawing attention towards the errors.

Shobha Rawlani
Shivlal Rawlani
Preface to the First Edition

Textbook of General Anatomy provides the basic knowledge of human


gross anatomy, which is important for every student of medical and
dental faculties, and also preparing for entrance examination. The
student pursuing postgraduation in anatomy will also find this book
very beneficial.
In this book, attempt has been made to introduce various structures
of human body, i.e. connective tissue, cartilage, bone, joints, muscles,
blood vessels, nerves, lymphatic system, skin and appendages, etc. in
simple language with plenty of examples.
As this is the first edition of the book, there may be few errors in
text. We will be very thankful to the teachers and the students for
sending suggestions and drawing attention towards the errors.

Shobha Rawlani
Shivlal Rawlani
Acknowledgments

We would like to thank:


� Our guide and mentor, Dr SK Ghosh Sir, Professor and Head,
Department of Anatomy, Nepal Medical College, Kathmandu, for
his encouragement and moral support.
� We are immensely thankful to our daughter, Dr Sujata Rawlani, for
her valuable help in drawing the diagrams for this book.
� Advocate Arunbhau Shelke (President) and Dr Dilip S Jane (Dean),
Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Memorial Medical College, Amravati,
Maharashtra, India, for their valuable suggestions and cooperation.
� Dr P Narang Madam (Secretary), Kasturba Health Society (KHS),
Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sevagram,
Maharashtra, India, for her appreciable suggestions.
� Dr Vedprakash Mishra, Prochancellor, Datta Meghe Institute of
Medical Sciences (Deemed University), Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha,
Maharashtra, India, for his valuable suggestions and cooperation.
� Dr Kadasne, for his strong encouragement and guidance.
� Dr Anbalgan, for his support and encouragement.
� Dr GP Pal, Modern Dental College, Indore, for his valuable suggestions
and support.
� Shri Jitendar P Vij (Group Chairman), Mr Ankit Vij (Managing Director)
and Mr Tarun Duneja (Director-Publishing), M/s Jaypee Brothers
Medical Publishers (P) Ltd, New Delhi, India, for accepting our project
and publishing the book.
� Dr Shyam Chaudhari, M/s Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd,
Nagpur Branch, for his support and encouragement.
� Mr Rajesh Sharma, M/s Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd,
New Delhi, India, for his coordination.
  Our special thanks to our dear friends and colleagues:
Dr MR Shende, Dr Meena Meshram, Dr Ujwal Gajbe, Dr Shirsagar,
Dr Sudhir Pandit, DrMilind Fulpatil, Dr Ravindra Marathe, Dr Pradeep
Bokadia, Dr Jwalant Waghmare, Dr Aditya Tarnekar, Dr Ashok Pal,
Dr Vandana Wankhede, Dr Bharat Sontakke, Dr Sanjay Wanjari,
xii Textbook of General Anatomy

Dr Vilas Chimurkar, Dr Brijraj Singh, Dr Dharmaraj Tamgire, Dr Deepali


Omkar, Dr Anupama Chavan, Dr Yati Phatak, Dr Amol Drugkar,
Dr Nayaran Dongre, Dr Sarita Kadu, Dr Anant Kadbande.
  Our special thanks to Dr Anand Bijwe and our ar tist,
Mr Deshmukh, for their kind support.
  Our heartful thanks to Rawlani family and our son Dr Sudhir and
daughter-in-law Dr Monika, and Dr Ramesh Rawlani, Dr Chanda
Rawlani, whose valuable support has made possible to complete
the book.
  We are also thankful to younger brothers Shyam and Ram
Doultani.
Contents

  Chapter   1  Introduction 1
Gross Anatomy  1
ÂÂ History of Anatomy  1
ÂÂ Anatomical Language  2
ÂÂ Anatomy and its Subdivisions  3
ÂÂ Anatomical Position and Body Planes  4
ÂÂ Special Terms for Limbs  7
ÂÂ Terms Used for Describing Movements  9
Introduction to Histology  13
ÂÂ Primary Tissues of the Body  14
ÂÂ Tissue Processing  14
ÂÂ Staining 17
ÂÂ Applied Anatomy  18

  Chapter   2  Connective Tissue 20


Connective Tissue–I  20
ÂÂ General Features of Connective Tissue  21
Connective Tissue–II  29
ÂÂ Connective Tissue Matrix  29
ÂÂ Ground Substance  35
ÂÂ Types of Connective Tissue  36
ÂÂ Applied Anatomy of Connective Tissue  40

  Chapter   3  Cartilage 43
ÂÂ Definition 43
ÂÂ Structure of Cartilage  44
ÂÂ General Features of the Cartilage  45
ÂÂ Peculiarities of the Cartilage  45
ÂÂ Growth and Development of Cartilage  46
ÂÂ Regeneration 48
ÂÂ Calcification 48
ÂÂ Types of Cartilage  49
xiv Textbook of General Anatomy

  Chapter   4  Sclerous Tissue 53


Bone–I 53
ÂÂDefinition 53
ÂÂPhysical Properties  53
ÂÂFunctions of the Bone  54
ÂÂStructure of Bone  54
ÂÂClassification of Bones  56
ÂÂBone Markings and Formations  63
Bone as a Tissue–II  64
ÂÂParts of Long Bone  64
ÂÂGrowth of a Long Bone  69
ÂÂFactors Affecting Growth of a Bone  70
ÂÂLaws of Ossification  71
ÂÂLaws of Union of Epiphysis  71
ÂÂBlood Supply of Bone  72
ÂÂNerve Supply of Bone  74
ÂÂLymphatics of Bone  76
ÂÂFracture of the Bone and its Repair  76

  Chapter   5  Joints 78
Joints–I 78
ÂÂ Definition 78
ÂÂ Classification of Joints  78
ÂÂ Structural Classification  80
Joints–Ii 87
ÂÂ Synovial Joints  87
ÂÂ Description of the Component Parts of
Synovial Joints  89
ÂÂ Classification of Synovial Joints  92
ÂÂ Rotation 99

  Chapter   6  Muscular Tissue 102


Muscle–I 102
Types of Muscle  102
ÂÂ
Skeletal Muscle (Gross Organization)  106
ÂÂ
Types of Skeletal Muscle Fibers  110
ÂÂ
Parts of a Skeletal Muscle  110
ÂÂ
Fascicular Architecture of Muscle  111
ÂÂ
Muscle–Ii 114
ÂÂ Mechanism of Lubrication  114
ÂÂ Nomenclature of the Muscles  116
Contents xv

ÂÂ Blood Supply of the Skeletal Muscle  117


ÂÂ Lymphatic Drainage  117
ÂÂ Development of Skeletal Muscle  118
ÂÂ Nerve Supply of the Skeletal Muscle  118
ÂÂ Muscle Tone  122
ÂÂ Actions of Muscle  123
ÂÂ Applied Anatomy  124

  Chapter   7  Nervous Tissue 126


Nervous Tissue–I  126
ÂÂ Parts of the Nervous System  126
ÂÂ Neuron 127
ÂÂ Synapse 133
ÂÂ Neuroglia 135
Nervous Tissue–Ii 138
ÂÂ Reflex Arc  138
ÂÂ Peripheral Nerves  142
ÂÂ Injuries to Neurons and Peripheral Nerves and
their Degeneration and Regeneration  143
ÂÂ Autonomic Nervous System  145

  Chapter   8  Blood Vascular System 150


ÂÂ Components of the Vascular System  150
ÂÂ Types of Circulation of Blood  152
ÂÂ Classification of Blood Vessels  155
ÂÂ Anastomosis of Blood Vessels  162
ÂÂ End-arteries 164
ÂÂ Applied Anatomy of Cardiovascular System
(CVS) 164

  Chapter   9  The Lymphatic System 166


The Lymphatic System–I  166
ÂÂDefinition 166
ÂÂFunctions of the Lymphatic System  167
ÂÂDevelopment of Lymphatic Tissues  168
ÂÂComponents of the Lymphatic System  169
The Lymphatic System–II  174
ÂÂ Components of the Lymphatic System  174
ÂÂ Circulating Lymphocytes  182
ÂÂ Applied Anatomy of Lymphatic System  183
xvi Textbook of General Anatomy

Chapter   10  Skin and its Appendages 185


Skin and its Appendages–I  185
ÂÂ Definition 185
ÂÂ Functions of the Skin  185
ÂÂ Surface Area of the Skin  186
ÂÂ Pigmentation of Skin  186
ÂÂ Types of Skin  189
Skin and its Appendages–II  193
ÂÂ Structure of Skin  193
ÂÂ Blood Supply of Skin  199
ÂÂ Appendages of Skin  200
ÂÂ Applied Anatomy of Skin  206

Index209
1 Introduction

GROSS ANATOMY
Introduction to gross anatomy is considered under the following
headings:
1. Introduction
2. History of anatomy
3. Anatomical language
4. Anatomy and its subdivisions
5. Anatomical positions and body planes
6. Special terms for limbs
7. Terms used for describing movements.

INTRODUCTION
 Human anatomy is the science which deals with the structure of
human body.
 The term ‘Anatomy’ is derived from a greek word ‘Anatome’ which
means cutting up.
 Anatomy forms firm foundation of the whole art of medicine and
introduces the student to the greater part of medical terminology.

HISTORY OF ANATOMY
 The growth and evolution of anatomy as a science is an interesting
story which is dated back from the prehistoric age when the
primitive men used to be egocentric without any family sense.
 The fundamental urge was hunger which forced people to move
about in search of food.
2 Textbook of General Anatomy

 People used to kill animals with primitive instruments and thus it


was necessary for them to know about the vital parts of animals,
i.e. the heart area, liver area, etc. which they used to strike in order
to kill animals by a single stroke.
 In this way they started learning topographical anatomy, not for the
purpose of learning but out of urge for satisfying hunger.
 Later on to fight the common enemy or for solving common
problem, brother hood slowly started which paved the way for the
growth of civilization.
 With civilization men learnt to live in society and help each other
in distress and diseases.
 A class of people acquired the art of healing, which urged them to
know about the human body and these clinical people detailed out
anatomical facts in relation to diseases.
 But during those days as there was very little or no scope for
studying human anatomy, due to superstitious beliefs, religious
impositions and faith in supernatural power, people used to
quench their thirst for knowledge by sacrificing animals and began
experimenting on animals.
 Zeal for learning human anatomy grew to such a magnitude that some
of the people who were over inquisitive resorted to stealing dead bodies
from the grave yards and thus purposeful anatomy came into existence
and with this the science developed.
 The subject history of anatomy has been treated under the following
heads:
 Relics of anatomy or anatomy of prehistoric age
 Anatomy of antiquity
 Anatomy of early civilization
 Anatomy of medieval period (4–14th century)
 Anatomy of modern times (15th century to upto date).

ANATOMICAL LANGUAGE
Paris Nomina Anatomica (PNA) is the internationally accepted termi-
nology for anatomical descriptions, which was ratified in New York in
1960. There are about 5500 latin terms in PNA which are freely used
along with English words.
Introduction 3

ANATOMY AND ITS SUBDIVISIONS


The subdivisions of anatomy are listed below:
1. Cadaveric Anatomy or Gross Anatomy
 Study of the structure and interrelation of the parts of the body
by dissection
 This study is done on dead bodies usually with the naked eye
(macroscopic or gross) anatomy
 This can be done by one of the two approaches
–– In “Regional Anatomy” the body is studied in parts like the
-- Upper limb, lower limb, thorax, abdomen, head and neck,
and brain.
–– In “Systemic Anatomy” the body is studied in systems like
the
-- Skeletal system (Osteology)
-- Muscular system (Myology)
-- Articulatory system (Arthrology)
-- Vascular system (Angiology)
-- Nervous system (Neurology)
-- Respiratory, digestive, urogenital and endocrine systems
(Splanchnology).
2. Living Anatomy
 Is studied on living human beings
 By inspection, palpation, percussion ascultation endoscopy
(bronchoscopy, gastroscopy, sigmoidosopy, cytoscopy, etc.)
 Radiography, electromyography, etc.
3. Applied Anatomy (Clinical Anatomy)
 For clinical practice of medicine the basic knowledge of anatomy
is important.
 The functional and clinical aspects of anatomy provide a strong
background to build clinical knowledge.
4. Embryology (Developmental Anatomy)
 Is the study of the prenatal developmental changes
 In an individual in other words
 Study of growth and development of the fetus inside the uterus.
5. Neuroanatomy
 Study of the structure and organization of the nervous system.
4 Textbook of General Anatomy

6. Histology (Microscopic Anatomy)


 Study of the tissues of the body under the microscope.
7. Surface Anatomy (Topographic Anatomy)
 Is the study of the deeper parts of the body in relation to the skin
surface.
 It is helpful in clinical practice and surgical operations.
8. Genetics is a branch of anatomy in which there are two compo-
nents of this science.
 Heredity: This is the study of similar traits passed from the
parents to their offspring. This gives rise to resemblance of
family members.
 Variation: This is the study of traits influenced by internal and
external forces so that no individual is exact replica of other.
9. Radiographic Anatomy
 Is the study of deeper structures of body using radiographic
techniques.
10. Sectional Anatomy
 Is the study of relationship of structures as visible in sections
cut in different planes.
11. Physical Anthropology
 Is the study of external features and measurements of different races
and groups of people and also the study of prehistoric remains.

ANATOMICAL POSITION AND BODY PLANES


Anatomical Position (Fig. 1.1)
 All descriptions in the form of body refer to anatomical position of
the body where in the:
 Individual is standing upright
 With the upper limbs hanging by the sides
 And the palms of the hands directed forwards
 With head, eyes and toes directed forwards
 And the lower limbs are parallel with the toes pointing forwards.
 Supine Position
 Lying down (recumbent) position with the face directed upwards.
 Prone Position
 Lying down (recumbent) position with the face directed
downwards.
Introduction 5

Fig. 1.1:  Anatomical position and body planes

 Lithotomy Position
Lying supine with the buttocks at the edge of the table
The hips and knees fully flexed
And the feet strapped in position.
 Superior or Cephalic (Towards the head)
 Therefore, refers to the position of a part that is nearest the head
of a supposedly upright body.
 Inferior
 Means nearer the feet.
6 Textbook of General Anatomy

Terms of Relation Commonly Used in


Gross Anatomy (Fig. 1.2)
 Anterior: Ventral or in front
Means nearest to the front surface of the body
 Posterior: Dorsal or behind
 Nearer to the back surface of the body
 Medial: Nearest to the median plane of body
 Lateral: Farther from the median plane of the body
 Ventral and dorsal: May be used instead of anterior and posterior
in the trunk.
In the hand
 Dorsal commonly replaces posterior
 And palmar replaces anterior.

Fig. 1.2:  Terms of relation commonly used in gross anatomy


Introduction 7

In the foot
 Term superior surface of foot is replaced by the term dorsum of
the foot
 And inferior surface of the foot is replaced by term plantar (sole).

Anatomical Planes (Fig. 1.3)


1. Median or midsagittal plane: Divides the body into right and left
halves.
2. Sagittal plane: Any plane parallel to the median plane.
3. Coronal plane or frontal plane: A vertical plane which at right
angle to median plane.
4. Transverse plane: A plane at right angles to a vertical plane.
5. Horizontal plane: A plane parallel to the ground.
6. Oblique plane: Any plane other than of aforementioned planes.

SPECIAL TERMS FOR LIMBS (Fig. 1.4)


 Proximal: Nearer to the trunk
 Distal: Away from the trunk
 Radial: Outer border of upper limb
 Ulnar: Inner border of upper limb
 Tibial: Inner border of lower limb
 Fibular: Outer border of lower limb

Fig. 1.3:  Anatomical planes


8 Textbook of General Anatomy

Fig. 1.4:  Special terms for limbs

 Preaxial border:
Outer border of upper limb

Inner border of lower limb

 Postaxial border:
 Inner border of upper limb
 Outer border of lower limb.
Flexor Surface
 Anterior surface in upper limb
 Posterior surface in lower limb.
Extensor Surface
 The posterior surface in the upper limb
 Anterior surface in lower limb.
Palmar Surface
 Pertaining to the palm of hand.
Plantar
 Pertaining to the sole of foot.
Introduction 9

Certain Other Terms (Terms Used for Hollow Organs)


(Fig. 1.5)
 Interior or inner
 Exterior or outer
 Invagination or inward protusion
 Evagination or outer protusion.

Terms Used for Solid Organs


 Superficial: Towards the surface.
 Deep: Inner to the surface.

Terms to Indicate the Side


 Ipsilateral of the same side
 Contralateral of the opposite side.

Terms Used for Describing Movements (Figs 1.6


and 1.7)
 Flexion
 Approximation of the flexor surfaces
 Whereby the angle of joint is reduced

Fig. 1.5:  Terms for hallow organs


10 Textbook of General Anatomy

 or example, flexion moves the arm forward and medially, while


F
flexion at knee is posterior bending, where leg comes close to thigh.
Dorsiflexion is the term described for bending at ankle joint, in
which the dorsum of foot comes closer to the anterior surface of leg.
Plantor flexion is reverse of dorsiflexion.
 Extension
 Approximation of extensor surfaces
 Whereby the angle of joint is incresed
For example, extension moves the arm backwards and laterally .

B
Fig. 1.6
Introduction 11

B Circumduction
Fig 1.7

Figs 1.6 and 1.7:  Terms used for describing movements

 Adduction
 Movement towards the central axis.
For example, arm moves medially and backwards.
 Abduction
 Movement away from central axis that is part of body moves
away from medial plane
For example, arm moves laterally and forwards.
12 Textbook of General Anatomy

 Medial Rotation
Inward rotation, humeral rotation is tested after flexing the

elbow joint in order to avoid confusion between pronation and
supination.
 Lateral Rotation
 Outward rotation: Medial rotation carries the hand medially and
lateral rotation moves the hand outwards.
 Circumduction
 Is a succession of the above four movements in an order.
 Pronation
 Rotation of the forearm so that the palm is turned backwards.
 Supination
 Rotation of the forearm so that the palm is turned forwards.
 Protraction
 Forward protusion, e.g. forward movement of mandible at
temporomandibular joint.
 Retraction
 Movement reverse of protraction.
 Inversion
 Sole of foot faces medially.
 Eversion
 Sole of foot faces laterally.

Review QUESTIONS
I. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Rotation of the forearm so that the palm is turned forwards is called
as:
a. Pronation b. Supination
c. Protraction d. Retraction
2. During flexion of arm the arm moves:
a. Forwards b. Backwards
c. Medial d. Lateral
3. Outer border of upper limb is called as:
a. Postaxial b. Preaxial
c. Medial border d. None of the above
4. A plane at right angle to a vertical plane is called as:
a. Transverse plane b. Coronal plane
c. Sagittal plane d. Horizontal plane
Introduction 13

5. Lying down (recumbent) position with the face directed down is


called as:
a. Supine position b. Prone position
c. Anatomical position d. Lithotomy position

Answers
1. b  2. c  3. b  4. a  5. b
II. Describe various position of the body.
III. Write short notes on:
1. Special terms of limbs
2. Terms used for describing movements
3. Subdivisions of anatomy.

INTRODUCTION TO HISTOLOGY
Introduction of Histology is considered under the following headings :
1. Introduction
2. Primary tissues of the body
3. Tissue processing
4. Staining
5. Applied anatomy.

INTRODUCTION
 Histology is a study of various tissues of the body at the microscopic
level.
 Primarily this involves the investigation of the microscopical anatomy
or architecture of more specialized tissues.
 It also includes the detailed knowledge of the structure of individual
cells—cytology.
 The term ‘Histology’ is derived from the Greek word ‘Histos’—
meaning tissue and ‘Logia’—meaning a branch of learning
 The term ‘Tissue’ is derived from the French word ‘tissue’
which means a weave. The name was given because the section
seen under the microscope appears as if various components are
woven with each other.
 The current concept of the term tissue is “a collection of group of
cells and extracellular matrix performing a common function”.
14 Textbook of General Anatomy

 Ideally microscopic examination of living tissues should be


carried out so that a true picture can be obtained. But only small
primitive living animals can be examined in this way. As most
tissues are too thick or not accessible for direct inspection.

PRIMARY TISSUES OF THE BODY


 There are four primary tissues of the body.
 Tissues are found within the organs of the body.
 They can be further subdivided into subgroups based on some
common characteristics.
 The primary tissues are:
 Epithelial tissue
 Connective tissue
 Muscle tissue
 Nervous tissue
 To study the following tissues various histological techniques are
used.
 The majority of histological techniques are applied to killed tissues
which are preserved in such a way as to retain the structure as
closely as possible to that of the living tissues.
 It must be appreciated that the complete histological preparation of
all methods using killed tissues shows alterations of the cells and
of the tissue as a whole. These alterations are called as artefacts.
 Histology techniques are capable of displaying beautifully the most
minute cellular details.

TISSUE PROCESSING
 This is the first step in the preparation of slides.
 As we have already seen:
 When you see any organ of the body with the naked eye you can
only make out its gross structure.
If you want to see the detailed microscopic structure of the organ.
It is necessary to cut thin slices or sections of the organ so that
they become translucent.
 It is very difficult to cut thin sections of the structures of the body
because the structures are very fragile and if you try to cut them all
the constituents are disrupted.
Introduction 15

 To overcome these problems it is necessary to harden the organ in


such a way that its original form is retained and its constituents do
not spread out while cutting.
 Now if the tissue undergoes autolysis, then the bacteria and other
organisms also invade the cells and a process of putrifaction sets
in. If these processes occur the cells get distorted and loose their
normal appearance.
 So to combact autolysis following procedures are followed.

Fixation
 It is the procedure to combact autolysis.
 This can be done on small pieces of organs immediately after death
by immersing them in fixative solution.
 One or two millimeter pieces of any organ are immersed in a
solution like 10% formaldehyde, which is a routine fixative for
4–5 days.

Aim of Fixation
1. Preservation of cells and tissue constituents in a condition identical to
that existing during life.
2. To prevent or arrest autolysis and bacterial decomposition and
putrefaction.
3. To leave the tissues in a condition, which facilitate differential
staining with dyes and other reagents.
4. To coagulate and harden the tissue.
Common Fixing Agents
1. Formaldehyde
2. Mercuric chloride
3. Pottassium dichromate
4. Picric acid, etc.

Dehydration
 After fixing the tissue the next process is dehydration.
 This process is essential because paraffin wax will not penetrate
the tissue in the presence of water.
 So this is done by immersion of tissue in ethyl alcohol.
 This is usually begun with a dilution of the alcohol in water, e.g.
70% alcohol.
16 Textbook of General Anatomy

 To prevent the distortion which may occur due to direct transference


of tissue from aqueous medium such as 10% formalin to absolute
alcohol.
 So in the process of dehydration the tissue is immersed in ascending
grades of alcohol. One after the another, i.e. 70%, 90% and 100%
and (three changes) of alcohol:
 16 hours—in 70% alcohol
 3 hours—in 90% alcohol
 Three consecutive changes of 1 hour each—100% alcohol.

Clearing
 As alcohol is not miscible with paraffin. So it is to replaced by fluid
which is miscible in both paraffin and alcohol
 This fluid is called as clearing agent, e.g. chloroform, xylene, etc.
The tissue is immersed in chloroform for about 16 hours or more till
is becomes translucent.

Paraffin Embedding
Embedding: After clearing, the tissue is put in molten paraffin in
an oven at 60°C. Two to three changes of one hour each are given in
each container of molten paraffin, so that all the water of the tissue is
replaced by paraffin.
Block Making: Two L-shaped metallic plates (Leukhardt’s
L’pieces) are kept in such a way that they enclose a rectangular
space. Molten paraffin is poured into the space and the tissue is
placed inside this molten paraffin and allowed to cool at room
temperature until the paraffin solidifies. The L-blocks are then
removed from the solidified paraffin block.
A block holder of metal is heated and fixed to the paraffin block
on the opposite side of the tissue. This block is then allowed to cool
under water. At this stage, the block is ready for cutting
Sectioning: The block is to be cut into thin slices of 7–10 microns
on a machine called Microtome. The block holder is fixed to the
microtome, and sections are cut with a special kind of knife. When
the handle is rotated, the block moves across the knife to cut a section.
When this movement is done with some speed, each section sticks at
its edge to the next section forming a ribbon. The tissue slice is present
in each section.
Introduction 17

Mounting: The flat sections have to be mounted on glass slides, which


are coated with a thin layer of adhesive after removing all creases.
Each section is cut out with a scissor and floated in a water bath, so
that the section expands but does not break. For this the water in the
bath is heated up to 40°C and not more. Once the section has spread out
it is picked up carefully on a slide and allowed to dry. This section is now
ready for staining.

STAINING
There are many ways to staining the section. We will only see in very
brief the hematoxylin and eosin staining method. The steps are as
follows:
 Hydration: Remove the paraffin and replace it with water. Dip the
slides for one minute each in xylene, 100% alcohol, 90%, 70%,
alcohol followed by water. Now the sections are ready for staining.
 Put the slides in the following solutions:
 Hematoxylin for 10 minutes.
 Wash in running tap water until the sections appear blue.
 Dip in acid alcohol and keep seeing the wet slide under a
microscope until you find the purple to blue stain has left the
whole section except the nuclei of the cells. This is called
differentiation.
–– Dip in water for one minute.
–– Dip in 1% eosin for one minute.
–– Dip in water for one minute.
–– Dip in 70%, 90%, 100% alcohol for one minute each.
–– Dip in xylene for one minute. Give two changes.
–– Put a drop of DPX on the section. Place a cover slip and press
to remove all traces of air bubbles, which may have been
trapped between the cover slip and the slide.
–– Let it dry.
Now your slide is ready for viewing under the microscope.

Chemical Basis of Staining with Hematoxylin and Eosin


Eosin is an acidic dye. This means that it carries a negative charge on
its coloured portion.
Hematoxylin is derived from a plant. It acts as a basic colouring agent.
It colours the acidic components from purple to blue.
18 Textbook of General Anatomy

APPLIED ANATOMY
Artifacts
Some structures seen in the slides are defective appearances because
of defective processing and staining should not be interpreted as a
normal appearance. They are called artifacts.
Shrinkage: Look at the gaps in between structures. This occurs
because of a hurried or rapid dehydration. If you pass the tissue from
one grade of alcohol to the next very rapidly, there is shrinkage of the
tissue components.
Precipitate: Black or coloured spots which seem to be lying on the
sections in a random manner. These could come on the slide because
of dirty stains, which have not been filtered.
Folds: These are produced if the sections have not been straightened
out while picking them up from the water bath.
Pinched tissue: If the tissue is not handled carefully while removing
from the body or during processing, the constituents of the cell break up.
Nick in knife: If the cutting edge of the knife has any nick, the section
shows it.
Autolysis: If the tissue is not fixed immediately autolysis sets in and
the cell constituents are spread out of the cells and do not stain properly.

Review Questions
I. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Common fixing agent used in the tissue processing is:
a. Formaldehyde b. Alcohol
c. Xylene d. Chloroform
2. Aim of fixation is to:
a. Soften the tissue
b. Preservation of cells and tissue constitutents
c. Enhance autolysis
d. Enhance putrefaction
3. Rapid or hurried dehydration causes
a. Formation of precipitate b. Shrinkage
c. Formation of folds d. Tissue become pinched
Introduction 19

Answers
1. a  2. b  3. c
II. Enumerate the reasons why the tissue has to be processed for
histological preparations.
III. Write shorts notes on:
a. Acidic and basic stains
b. Sectioning and mounting
c. Terms histology and tissue
d. Enumerate the steps of H and E staining
e. Primary tissue of the body.
2 Connective Tissue

CONNECTIVE TISSUE–I
Connective tissue-I is considered under the following subheadings:
1. Introduction
2. General features of connective tissue
a. Connective tissue cells
b. Connective tissue matrix

INTRODUCTION
 Connective tissue is one of the most abundant and widely distributed
tissue of the body.
 This owes its name because it binds other tissues of the body.
 This does not mean, however, that the connective tissue is merely
supportive in function.
 It performs many other important functions.
 The cellular components of connective tissue plays the role of
active defence.
 Whereas the extracellular components (fibers and ground substance)
serves a number of mechanical functions of support and protection
against the mechanical stresses and strains.
 Connective tissue possesses variety of subtypes:
 General or ordinary connective tissue
 Hematopoietic tissue
 Specialized tissue, which include cartilages, bones, joints and
others
 The greater part of connective tissue develops from embryonic
mesoderm.
Connective Tissue 21

GENERAL FEATURES OF CONNECTIVE TISSUE


 Connective tissue consists of two basic elements:
Cells and matrix
Matrix:
 Fills the wide spaces between its cells.
 It consists of fibers and ground substance.
 Ground substance is a material between the cells and fibers.
 It is usually secreted by connective tissue cells and determines the
tissue qualities.
 For instance:
 In cartilage, the matrix is firm but pliable
 In bone, the matrix is hard and not pliable.
In contrast to epithelia:
 Connective tissues do not usually occur on body surfaces.
 Such as covering or lining of internal organs or lining of body
cavities or external surface of the body.
 However, a type of connective tissue called areolar connective
tissue lines joint cavities.
 Connective tissues are highly vascular, i.e. they have a rich blood
supply.
Exceptions include:
 Cartilage, which is avascular
 Tendons, which have a scanty blood supply.
 Except for cartilage rest of connective tissues have a nerve supply.

Constituents Elements of Connective Tissue


Connective tissue is made up of cells and extracellular matrix also
called as intercellular substance.

Connective Tissue Cells (Fig. 2.1)


 Seven principal types of cells are found in the ordinary connective
tissue.
 Fibroblasts
 Macrophages (Histiocytes)
 Plasma cells
 Mast cells
 Pigment cells
22 Textbook of General Anatomy

Fig. 2.1:  Loose areolar tissue showing cells of connective tissue

 Reticular cells
 Fat cells.
 A few undifferentiated mesenchymal cells may contribute a part of
cell population and act as stem cells for other cellular components.
 Lymphocytes also appear in general connective tissue, under
pathological conditions migrating from lymphoid tissue or from
circulation.
 Mesodermal embryonic cells also called as mesenchymal cells
give rise to cells of connective tissue.
 Each major type of connective tissue contains an immature class of
cells whose name ends in ‘blast’ means “to bud or sprout”.
 These immature cells are called fibroblasts in loose and dense
connective tissue.
 Chondroblasts in cartilage.
 Osteoblasts in bone.
 Blast cells retain the capacity for cell division and secrete the matrix
that is characteristic of the cartilage.
 In cartilage and bone, once the matrix is produced.
 The fibroblasts differentiate into mature cells whose name end
in—Cyte, namely fibrocytes, chondrocytes and osteocytes.
 Mature cells have reduced capacity for cell division and matrix
formation and are mostly involved in maintaining the matrix.

Fibroblasts (Fig. 2.2)


 These are most numerous and derived from undifferentiated
mesenchymal cells.
 Each cell is flattened or fusiform in shape with a centrally placed
nucleus and presents numerous branching processes.
Connective Tissue 23

Fig. 2.2:  Structure of fibroblast and fibrocyte

 Young and active fibroblasts possess open-faced nuclei


(euchromatic) and abundant basophilic cytoplasm with rough
surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and mitochondria.
 When the fibroblasts become old and inactive they are converted
into fibrocytes.
 Which possess flattened and closed-face nuclei (hyperchromatic)
nuclei and a film of cytoplasm with scanty organelles.

Function of Fibroblasts
 The fibroblasts help in formation of Collagen fibers by synthesizing
procollagen and tropocollagen proteins and setting free these
materials in the extracellular space.
 Collagen formation is impaired in vitamin C deficiency and scurvy,
high levels of steroids, diet, mechanical stress.
 In addition fibroblast secrete proteoglycans and mucopoly-
saccarides.
 Reticulum for reticular fibers and elastin for elastic fibers.
 They help in healing of wounds by continued proliferation and
subsequent conversion into fibrocytes.
 Fibroblastic activity in wound healing is delayed by the
glucocorticoids of the suprarenal glands.
24 Textbook of General Anatomy

Macrophages (Histiocytes or Clasmatocytes) (Fig. 2.3)


Macro—Large
Phages—Eaters
 Macrophages develop from monocytes, a type of white blood cells
 Macrophages have an irregular shape with short branching
projections and are capable of engulfing bacteria and cellular debris
by phagocytosis
 Some are fixed macrophages or resting macrophages, which means
they reside in a particular tissue.
Examples are:
 Alveolar macrophages in the lungs or
 Spleen macrophages in the spleen.
 Other are—Wandering macrophages, which roam in the tissues
and gather at sites of infection or inflammation.
 The cytoplasm of macrophages contain numerous lysosomes
filled with hydrolytic enzymes.
 Such cells in the living state can be readily, stained, by vital dyes
such as trypan blue, lithium carmine or Indian ink.
 When the dyes are introduced locally or in systemic circulation
the macrophages phagocytose the material of the dyes and are
visualized as cytoplasmic granules.
 The macrophages are derived from the undifferentiated
mesenchyme or from the fibroblasts or from the monocytes of
the blood.
 They are distributed widely in different parts of the body and
belong to the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS), which

Fig. 2.3:  Macrophage cell


Connective Tissue 25

subserves an important apparatus for defensive mechanisms of


the body.

Distribution of Macrophages
 In the connective tissue, as the histiocytes or clasmatocytes.
 In the blood, as the monocytes.
 In the sinusoids of the liver (Kuffer’s cells), spleen, bone marrow
and else where.
 In the lymphoid tissues and lymph nodes as the reticular cells.
 In the lung alveoli as the alveolar phagocytes.
 In the brain and spinal cord, as the microglia.

Function
The Macrophages
 Phagocytose and digest particulate organic materials, foreign bodies
or invading microorganisms and thereby eliminate them from the
body to avoid any injurious effects.
 Sometimes a number of macrophages form a barricade around
a large foreign material and often coalesce with one another to
form mononucleated masses known as the foreign body Giant cells
(Fig. 2.4).
 On occasions, the macrophages ingest nonspecified antigens,
thereafter the antigens may be destroyed or they are transferred
after modification to the immunologically competent cells of
T-lymphocytes or B-lymphocytes.

Fig. 2.4:  Giant cells


26 Textbook of General Anatomy

Plasma Cells (Figs 2.5 and 2.6)


 These cells are derived from B-lymphocytes when needed (in
pathological states).
 They are found in connective tissue especially of gastrointestinal
tract and respiratory tract and lymphoid tissue.
 They are numerous in the mucous and submucous coats of the gut
and in the greater omentum, salivary glands, lymph nodes and bone
marrow. Plasma cells secrete antibodies, proteins that attack or
neutralize foreign substances in the body.
 Thus, plasma cells are an important part of the body’s immune
system.
 Each of the cell is rounded in shape without any process, and
presents granular cytoplasm which is stained with basic dyes.
 Cells are about 15 mm in diameter with a spherical eccentric nucleus.

Fig. 2.5:  Plasma cell

Fig. 2.6:  Structure of plasma cell


Connective Tissue 27

 The chromatin granules in the nucleus are arranged in such a way


that the nucleolus is in the center and the chromatin is arranged in
small granules on the inner surface of the nuclear membrane in the
form of a clock face or cart wheel. This is called a clock face or
cart wheel appearance.

Functions
 Plasma cells liberate antibodies
 Plasma cells are not present at birth
 They appear in the postnatal life
 Therefore, the antibody formation of the newborn is minimum
 Myeloma is malignant proliferation of a particular clone of plasma
cells in bone marrow.

Mast Cells (Fig. 2.7)


 These cells are commonly present in loose connective tissue.
 Serous membranes and fibrous capsules of certain organs.
For example, liver and are characteristically located abundantly
alongside the blood vessels that supply connective tissues
 They are also present beneath the mucosa of alimentary tract,
respiratory tract and in other parts of the body.
 Each cell is rounded in shape and presents a central nucleus.
 The cytoplasm is closely packed with large membrane bound
granules which stain metachromatically with toluidine blue,
methylene blue etc. (Fig. 2.8)
 Substances contained in the granules are heparin, histamine, etc.

Fig. 2.7:  Mast cell Fig. 2.8:  Structure of mast cell


28 Textbook of General Anatomy

Functions
Mast cells liberate heparin which is anticoagulant in function.
 Heparin in blood dissipates chylomicrons (fat particles) of the blood
plasma by activating an enzyme lipoprotein lipase.
 Heparin prevents the fibrinogen, from clotting into fibrin.
 Mast cells produce histamine which promotes leakage and edema
and contraction of smooth muscles, which may also produce
anaphylactic or allergic reactions.
 The antihistaminic drugs act not by preventing the release of
histamine from the mast cells, but by occupying the receptor sites
on cells where histamine would act.

Pigment Cells
 They are also known as melanocytes.
 They are present in the epidermis of the skin, in the iris and
choroid coat of the eyeball.
 Each cell presents long cytoplasmic processes and contains melanin
granules in the membrane bound organelles the melanosomes of
the cytoplasm.
 The melanocytes are derived from neural crest epithelium.
 In the skin, the melanocytes protect against the cosmic rays of
the sun.

Reticular Cells
 They are present in the reticular connective tissue. Reticular cells are
branched flattened cells with poorly staining nuclei and cytoplasm.
 They produce reticular fibers to which the cells are attached.

Functions
 Phagocytic: The cells ingest and remove the bacteria
 They act as stem cells for the cellular constituents of the blood.

Fat Cells (Fig. 2.9)


 Fat cells or adipocytes are numerous in the adipose tissue. Each cell
is spherical or polygonal, consists of peripheral rim of cytoplasm
with an eccentric nucleus and contains a large central lobule of fat.
Connective Tissue 29

Fig. 2.9:  Fat cell

 When stained with H and E, the cell is ‘signet ring’ in appearance


because the fat is dissolved by the solvent used.
 By special method, fat may be fixed and stained with Sudan III, Sudan
black, Scharlach R.

CONNECTIVE TISSUE–II
Connective tissue–II is considered under the following headings:
 Connective tissue matrix
 Fibers
–– Collagen fibers
–– Elastic fibers
–– Reticular fibers
 Ground substance
 Types of mature connective tissue
 Applied anatomy of connective tissue.

CONNECTIVE TISSUE MATRIX


 The matrix of connective tissue has unique properties due to
accumulation of specific matrix materials between the cells.
 The matrix or the intercellular substance is a nonliving material
and is synthesized by the connective tissue cells particularly by
the fibroblasts.
 Matrix is composed of (i) Fibers and (ii) Ground substance
30 Textbook of General Anatomy

 The fibers of connective tissue are of three types:


Collagen fibers

Elastic fibers

Reticular fibers

 These fibers function to strengthen and support connective tissues.

Collagen Fibers (Fig. 2.10)


 These fibers are widely distributed in the connective tissue,
ligament, tendons and aponeurosis.
 They are arranged in numerous straight bundles bounded by
mucoproteins.
 The bundles are made up of collections of individual collagen fibers
which are 1–12 mm in diameter
 The bundles often branch and anastamose with adjacent bundles,
but the individual fibers do not branch and appear in response to
tensile strain.
 Each fiber is composed of bundles of fine fibers of collagen proteins
which get dissociated, when treated with dilute acids and alkalis into
a number of fibrillar subunits known as tropocollagen molecules.
 Each molecule of tropocollagen is made up of three polypeptide
chains. Each chain is called as procollagen.
 Each procollagen chain consists of a long chain of amino acids
hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine.

Fig. 2.10:  Collagen fibers


Connective Tissue 31

Varieties of Collagen Fibers and their Distribution


 Several types of collagen fibers are recognized depending upon the
diameter of fibers.

Type I
 Type I collagen fibers are predominantly found in connective tissue,
tendons, ligaments, fascia, aponeurosis, etc.
 They are also present in the dermis of skin, and in meninges. They
form a fibrous basis of bone and of fibrocartilage.
 Type I fibers are of large diameter (about 250 nm) and have
prominent cross striations.

Type II
 They are of two subtypes.
 The larger of the two are about 100 nm in diameter, which form
fibrous basis of hyaline cartilage, while the narrower fibers are
20 nm in diameter. These fine type II fibers are present in the
vitreous body.

Type III
 They form the reticular fibers.

Type IV
 These type of collagen fibers consists of short filaments that form
sheets.
 They are present in the basal laminae of basement membranes.
 They are also seen in the lens capsule.
 All collagen fibers are very strong and resist pulling forces, but they
are not stiff due to which they promote tissue flexibility.
 Different types of collagen fibers in various tissues have slightly
varying properties.
 For example, the collagen fibers found in cartilage attract more
water molecules, than do collagen fibers in bone, which gives
cartilage a more cushioning consistency.
32 Textbook of General Anatomy

Production of Collagen Fibers


 The mechanism of production of collagen fibers is done by
fibroblasts.
 Amino acids necessary for synthesis of fibers are taken into the
fibroblast cell.
 Under the influence of ribosomes located on rough endoplasmic
reticulum the amino acids are bounded together to form polypeptide
chain (alpha chains).
 Such chains join to form a procollagen molecule.
 Molecules of procollagen are transported to the exterior of the cell.
Where they are acted upon by enzymes (released by fibroblasts) to
form tropocollagen.
 Collagen fibers are formed by aggregation of tropocollagen
molecules.
 Vitamin C and oxygen are necessary for collagen formation
and wound repair may be interfered with, if either of these is
deficient.
Connective Tissue 33

Elastic Fibers (Fig. 2.11)


 Elastic fibers are smaller in diameter than the collagen fibers.
They branch and join together to form a network within a tissue.

These fibers are much fewer than the collagen fibers.

They are elastic and stretchable, with perfect recoiling.

The thin elastin fibers branch and rejoin freely.

 Elastic fibers are formed by fibroblasts.
 But in the walls of arteries they are formed by smooth muscle
cells.
 Though elastic fibers are stretchable and elastic, their elasticity
diminishes with age.
 The elastic fibers are composed of protein subunits the tropoelastin
which possess high content of amino acid valine.
 An enzyme elastase often present in the crude preparation of
trypsin and in some bacteria disintegrates the elastic fibers.
 The elastic fibers are stained with orcein and with Verhoeff’s stain.

Reticular Fibers (Fig. 2.12)


 The fine reticular fibers branch and anastamose freely to form
delicate supporting frameworks of lymphoid organs spleen, lymph
nodes, bone marrow and many glands including liver and kidneys.
 These fibers are type III variety of collagen fibers.
 They differ from typical (type I) collagen fibers as follows:
 They are much finer
 They are uneven in thickness
 They form a network (or reticulum) by branching and
anastamosing with each other.
 They do not run in bundles.
 They form a meshwork on which cells of parenchyma of some
organs like lymphoid tissue rest.
 They can be stained specifically by silver impregnation which
renders them black (Fig. 2.13).
–– They can thus be easily distinguished from type I collagen
fibers which are stained brown, because of their affinity for
silver salts reticular fibers are sometimes called argentophil
fibers.
34 Textbook of General Anatomy

 The reticular fibers provide support to the walls of blood vessels


and form a network around the cells in some tissues. For instance
areolar tissue, adipose tissue, and smooth muscle tissue.
 Reticular fibers form an essential component of all basement
membranes.
 They are also found in relation to smooth muscle and nerve fibers.

Fig. 2.11:  Elastic fibers

Fig. 2.12:  Reticular fibers


Connective Tissue 35

Fig. 2.13:  Reticular fibers stained with silver impregnation

GROUND SUBSTANCE
 It is the nonfibrous element of the matrix in which cells and fibers
are embedded.
 In ordinary connective tissue it is a viscous gel containing high
proportion of water.
 Chemically, it is made up of mucopolysaccharides both sulfated
and nonsulfated and proteoglycans.
 The sulfated mucopolysaccharides comprise several varieties of
chondroitin sulfates and the keratin sulfates.
 Whereas the nonsulfated mucopolysaccaride is the hyaluronic
acid. The latter is more abundant in loose connective tissue
where it keeps the ground substance in solution. It is also found
in the cartilage, umbilical cord, and vitreous body of the eye.
 Chondroitin sulfate is found in cartilage, bone, skin, and
cornea. It keeps the ground substance in gel. It provides support
and adhesiveness.
 Dermatin sulfate (Chondroitin C) is found in skin, blood
vessels, heart valves, and the lungs.
 Keratin sulfate is found in the cornea, cartilage and nucleus
pulposus.
36 Textbook of General Anatomy

Heparin sulfate is found in the aorta, liver, lungs and mast cell
granules.
 The proteins present in the ground substance are responsible for
linking of the components of ground substance to each other and
to the surfaces of the cells.
 The main adhesion protein of connective tissue is fibronectin,
which binds to both collagen fibers and ground substance thereby
linking them together.

Functions of the Ground Substance


 Provides morphology and framework of tissues.
 Protect and binds together connective tissue cells.
 Acts as a mechanical barrier to the free movements of the particles
or other dissolved matter in tissue spaces.
 Helps in the diffusion of metabolites between the capillaries and
the cells.
 Helps in the storage of water.
 Excessive accumulation of tissue fluid is called edema, which may
be caused by obstructed venous return or lymphatic obstruction
or insufficient proteins in blood plasma due to malnutrition or
increased permeability of the capillaries.
 Formation of ground substance may be influenced by some
hormones. Since in hypothyroidism, myxedema takes place due to
excessive accumulation of ground substance.
 With the advancement of age, the amorphous element of the matrix
diminishes and the fibrous element increases.

TYPES OF CONNECTIVE TISSUE


 Different types of connective tissue are found in different parts of
the body according to the local functional requirements.
 These types are based according to the cell type and character of
ground substance.
 Functionally, the connective tissues are classified as follows:

Ordinary Connective Tissue


 Irregular connective tissue
 Loose connective tissue
Connective Tissue 37

Dense irregular connective tissue



Adipose tissue.

 Dense regular connective tissue
 Fascia, ligaments, tendons, aponeurosis.

Special Connective Tissue


 Mucoid tissue
 Pigmented connective tissue
 Elastic connective tissue
 Cartilage
 Bone.

Loose Connective Tissue (Fig. 2.14)


 It is most extensively distributed in the body.
 It consists of a network of thin collagen and elastic fibers embedded
in a semifluid ground substance.
Distribution
In the subcutaneous tissues particularly where fat is absent, for example:
 In eyelids, penis, scrotum, and labia minora
 Investing sheaths of muscles, vessels and nerves
 Internal support of compound glands (binding lobes and lobules)
 Submucous coat of alimentary tract
 Subserous coat of alimentary tract
 Interior of the viscera
 Loose connective tissue permits considerable amounts of
movements between the parts it binds.

Dense Irregular Connective Tissue (Fig. 2.15)


 It is found in those parts of the body, which are subjected to
mechanical stress.
 The tissue contains a high proportion of collagen fibers with a few
fibroblasts.
 Its blood supply is poor.

Distribution
 Reticular layer of the dermis.
 Connective tissue sheaths of muscles, vessels and nerves.
38 Textbook of General Anatomy

 Adventitia of large vessels.


 Capsules of various glands.
 Sclera of the eye.
 Periosteum and perichondrium.

Fig. 2.14:  Loose connective tissue

Fig. 2.15:  Dense irregular connective tissue


Connective Tissue 39

Adipose Tissue (Fig. 2.16)


It is made up of large group of fat cells usually arranged in loculi
formed by fibrous septa carrying blood vessels. Adipose tissue occurs
in abundance in the superficial fascia of buttocks. Loins, nape of neck,
breast, lower part of anterior abdominal wall, front of thighs, fatty
capsules of kidneys, localized pads of fat occur in synovial membrane
of many joints.

Dense Regular Connective Tissue (Fig. 2.17)


 This is predominantly collagenous, with a few elastic fibers.
 The regular arrangement of collagen fibers form sheets (fasciae
and aponeurosis) or thicker bundles form tendons and ligaments.

Special Connective Tissue


Mucoid Tissue (Fig. 2.18)
 It is an embryonic type of connective tissue, which forms Wharton’s
jelly of the umbilical cord and vitreous body of the eye.
 The tissue consists of a copious matrix carrying fine meshwork of
collagen fibers with fibroblasts.

Pigmented Connective Tissue


 It occurs in choroid and lamina fusca of the sclera of eye.

Elastic Connective Tissue (Fig. 2.19)


 Branching elastic fibers predominate in elastic connective tissue
giving the unstained tissue a yellow color.
 Fibroblasts are present in the spaces between the fibers. Elastic
connective tissue is quite strong and can recoil to its original shape
after being stretched.
 This elasticity is important for the normal functioning of lung tissue,
which recoils as we exhale and also in elastic arteries whose recoil
between heart beats helps maintaining blood flow by filling the
blood vessels.
40 Textbook of General Anatomy

Fig. 2.16:  Adipose tissue

Fig. 2.17:  Dense regular connective tissue

APPLIED ANATOMY OF CONNECTIVE TISSUE


1. Diseases of collagen fibers:
 Rheumatic fever, rheumatoid arthritis; disseminated lupus
erythematosus, scleroderma.
 These are the diseases of connective tissue characterized by its
fibrinoid necrosis.
2. Inflammations (fibrositis) and injuries (pulls and sprains):
 Of the connective tissue are very painful because of its rich nerve
supply or the associated muscle spasm. Relief (healing) of pain
in these disorders is markedly delayed due to poor blood supply
of the connective tissue.
Connective Tissue 41

Fig. 2.18:  Mucoid tissue

Fig. 2.19:  Elastic connective tissue

3. Marfan’s syndrome:
 It is an inherited disorder caused by a defective fibrillin gene.
The result is abnormal development of elastic fibers. Tissues
rich in elastic fibers are malformed or weakened.
 Structures affected most seriously are the covering layers of
bones (Periosteum), the ligaments that suspend the lens of the
eye and the walls of large arteries.
42 Textbook of General Anatomy

 People with Marfan syndrome tend to be tall and have


disproportionately long arms, legs, fingers and toes.
 A common symptom is blurred vision caused by displacement
of the lens of the eye.
 Most life-threatening complication of Marfan syndrome is
weakening of the aorta, which may suddenly burst.

Review Questions
I. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Hyaline cartilage is an example of following type of collagen fibers:
a. Type I b. Type II
c. Type III d. Type IV
2. Elastic fibers present in the walls of arteries are formed by:
a. Fibroblasts b. Smooth muscle cells
c. Fibrocytes d. Mesenchymal cells
3. Wharton’s jelly is an example of:
a. Mucoid Tissue
b. Dense regular connective tissue
c. Loose connective tissue
d. Pigmented connective tissue
4. Collagen formation is impaired in:
a. Vitamin B deficiency
b. Vitamin C deficiency
c. Vitamin K deficiency
d. Vitamin A deficiency
5. Kuffers’ Cells are present in:
a. Spleen b. Liver
c. Lung d. Brain

Answers
1. b  2. a  3. a  4. b  5. b
II. Describe the types of connective tissue.
III. Write short notes on:
1. Cells of connective tissue
2. Ground substance of connective tissue
3. Functions of connective tissue.
3 Cartilage

INTRODUCTION
The skeletal tissue is a specialized form of connective tissue is divided
into two types:

Cartilage and Bone


 Now when we study the cartilage we see that cartilage is a
phylogenetically older tissue
 Most of the human skeleton is formed of cartilage during
development (Intrauterine life), later it is replaced by bone, which
is dense specialized and organized form of connective tissue
 Some cartilage persists in adult skeleton
 Thus cartilage is a tissue that forms the skeletal ‘basis of some parts
of the body, for example, auricle of the ear, synovial joints, lower
part of the nose (respiratory tract)
 When we feel these parts we understand that cartilage is sufficiently
firm to maintain its form and it is not rigid like bone. It can be bent,
returning to its original form when the bending force is removed.

DEFINITION
 Cartilage is defined as a modified connective tissue
 It resembles ordinary connective tissue in that the cells in it are
widely separated by a considerable amount of intercellular material
or matrix
44 Textbook of General Anatomy

 The matrix consists of ground substance within which fibers are


embedded
 Cartilage differs from typical connective tissue mainly in the nature
of the ground substance, which is firm and thus firmness gives
cartilage its characteristic consistency.

STRUCTURE OF CARTILAGE
Like any other connective tissue the cartilage is made up of two main
components:
1. Cells called chondroblasts when active and chondrocytes when
quiescent.
 The chondrocytes occur singly or in groups (cell nests) within
spaces called lacunae, in the matrix
 Younger cells are small and somewhat flattened
2. Matrix
 Matrix is composed of:
–– Organized fiber meshwork
–– An amorphous ground substance—which is a meshwork of
proteins and proteoglycan filaments.
 Each cartilage is covered on all sides
 By an outer membrane called perichondrium
The perichondrium has two layers:
 Outer fibrous layer—made up of irregularly arranged collagen
fibers.
 Inner smooth layer of closely packed spindle shaped cells. These
cells have the capacity to change into fibroblast. These fibroblasts—
cells lie close to the fibrous layer. Deeper cells of this layer form
chondroblasts.
 This layer is also called as chondrogenic layer of the
perichondrium
 These chondroblasts secrete the matrix and this contribute to the
formation of cartilage proper
 Deep to the perichondrium is the cartilage proper which consists
of chondrocytes lying is groups and surrounded by the matrix
 The articular cartilage has no perichondrium. So that its
regeneration after injury is inadequate.
Cartilage 45

GENERAL FEATURES OF THE CARTILAGE


 Cartilage can endure more stress than loose and dense connective
tissue.
 Its resilience (ability to assume its original shape after deformation)
is due to chondroitin sulfate in the ground substance.
 It is a stiff load bearing connective tissue with a low metabolic rate
 Amorphous ground substance of the cartilage stores energy and
imparts elasticity, resilience and rigidity to the cartilage. It bears
weight without bending and has considerable tensile strength.
 Cartilage has no blood vessels or lymphatics (its blood supply is
confined to the periphery). The nutrition of cells diffuse through
the matrix.
 Cartilage has no nerves. It is therefore insensitive.
 When cartilage calcifies—the chondrocytes die and the cartilage
is replaced by the bone.
 The cartilages which are replaced by bone are known as temporary
cartilages.
 Those which persist throughout life are called as permanent
cartilages.

PECULiARITIES OF THE CARTILAGE


 Cartilage tissue as we have already seen is avascular and
non-nervous.
 It receives nutrition by diffusion from the nearest capillaries.
 Many cartilagenous masses are traversed by ‘cartilage canals’
which convey blood vessels and are invested by delicate connective
tissue sheaths derived from the invaginations of the overlying
perichondrium.
 The time of appearance of canals and their subsequent disappearance
are subjected to regional variations.
 The canals provide nutrition to the deepest core of the cartilaginous
masses, which are not getting sufficient nutrition by diffusion
from the perichondrial vessels, because of lower antigenecity of
the cartilagenous matrix and isolation of chondrocytes in separate
lacunae. Homogenous transplantations of cartilages are possible
without reduction.
46 Textbook of General Anatomy

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF CARTILAGE (Fig. 3.1)


Cartilage grows by two methods:
1. Appositional growth
2. Interstitial growth
 Cartilage is derived (embryologically) from mesenchyme
 Some mesenchymal cells differentiate into cartilage forming cells
called as chondroblasts
 Chondroblasts produce the intercellular matrix as well as the
collagen fibers that form the intercellular substance of cartilage
 Chondroblasts that become imprisoned within this matrix become
chondrocytes
 Some mesenchymal cells that surround the developing cartilage
form the perichondrium
 Apart from collagen fibers and fibroblasts the perichondrium contain
cells that are capable of transforming themselves into cartilage cells
when required.

Appositional Growth
 When growth of cartilage takes place by addition of new cartilage
cells over the surface of existing cartilage.
 This is possible because of the presence of cartilage forming cells
in the deeper layers of the perichondrium.
 Activity of cells in the inner chondrogenic layer of the perichondrium
leads to growth.
 Deeper cells of perichondrium, the fibroblasts divide and some
differentiate into chondroblasts.
 As differentiation continues, the chondroblasts surround
themselves with matrix and become chondrocytes.
 As a results, matrix accumulates beneath the perichondrium on
the outer surface of the cartilage. Causing it to grow in width.
 Appositional growth starts later than interstitial growth and
continues through adolescence.

Interstitial Growth
 Newly formed cartilage grows by multiplication of cells throughout
its substance.
Cartilage 47

Fig. 3.1:  Growth and development of cartilage


48 Textbook of General Anatomy

 This is possible only as long as the matrix is sufficiently pliable to


allow movement of cells through it.
 As the cartilage matures the matrix hardens and the cartilage cells
can no longer move widely apart.
 In other words interstitial growth is no longer possible.
 At this stage, when a cartilage cell divides the daughter cells remain
close together forming cell nests.
 The cartilage increases rapidly in size due to division of existing
chondrocytes and the continuous deposition of increasing amounts
of matrix by the chondrocytes.
 As the chondrocytes synthesize new matrix, they are pushed away
from each other.
 These events cause the cartilage to expand from within which is
the reason for the term “interstitial”.
 This growth pattern occurs while the cartilage is young and pliable
during childhood and adolescence.

REGENERATION
 Cartilage has very limited ability of regeneration (after destruction
by injury or disease).
 Defects in cartilage are usually filled by fibrous tissue.
 Injuries are not repaired by the cartilage tissue because the adult
cells are imprisoned in matrix and probably never divide.
 Tissue from the perichondrium and adjacent fascia proliferate
and fills in the defect or gap.
 A fracture of a mature cartilage usually becomes united by dense
fibrous tissue.
 Some of the fibrous tissue may be replaced by a bone.

CALCIFICATION
 Calcification is a process in which the matrix hardens because of
the deposition of calcium salts in it but true bone is not formed.
 Calcification of hyaline cartilage is often seen in old people.
 The costal cartilages or the large cartilages of the larynx are
commonly affected.
 In contrast to hyaline cartilage, elastic cartilage and fibrocartilage
do not undergo calcification.
Cartilage 49

 Although articular cartilage is a variety of hyaline cartilage, it


does not undergo calcification or ossification.

TYPES OF CARTILAGE
Cartilages are classified according to:
The number of the cells and nature of the matrix into the following
types:
 Cellular cartilage
 White fibrocartilage
 Hyaline cartilage
 Elastic cartilage.

Cellular Cartilage (Fig. 3.2)


 It is almost entirely composed of cartilage cells and the matrix is
minimum
 This type of cartilage is present in embryonic life.

White Fibrocartilage (Fig. 3.3)


 Here the collagen fibers of the matrix predominate and are arranged
in bundles
 The ovoid cartilage cells are arranged in rows between the bundles.

Distribution
 Intervertebral discs and interpubic disc
 Articular disc of temporomandibular joint
 Menisci of knee joint.

Fig. 3.2:  Cellular cartilage


50 Textbook of General Anatomy

Fig. 3.3:  White fibrocartilage

Hyaline Cartilage (Fig. 3.4)


 Most of the cartilages of the body are hyaline
 In this type the cells are arranged in groups of two or more
 The matrix presents a ground glass appearance and consists
mostly of chondroitin sulfate and a few collagen fibers.

Distribution
 Articular cartilage
 Costal and tracheobronchial and laryngeal cartilages
 Except—epiglottis corniculate, cuneiform and apex of arytenoid
cartilages
 Except the articular cartilage, all other hyaline cartilages are covered
by a fibrous membrane called as perichondrium.

Elastic Cartilage (Fig. 3.5)


 In this type, the matrix is traversed by the yellow elastic fibers which
branch and anastomose in all directions except around the cartilage
cells where amorphous intercellular substance exists.

Fig. 3.4:  Hyaline cartilage


Cartilage 51

Fig. 3.5:  Elastic cartilage

Distribution
 Pinna of external ear
 Epiglottis
 Corniculate cartilage
 Cuneiform cartilage
 Apex of arytenoid cartilages.

Review Questions
I. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Perichondrium is absent in the following cartilage:
a. Hylanine b. Articular
c. Elastic d. Cellular
2. Example of elastic cartilage is:
a. Trachea b. Intervertebral disc
c. Epiglottis d. Thyroid cartilage
3. Hyaline cartilage has:
a. Bundles of collagen fibers
b. Cell nests
c. Bundles of elastic fibers
d. Large number of chondroblasts
52 Textbook of General Anatomy

4. In calcification of cartilage matrix hardens because of deposition


of:
a. Calcium salts b. Carbohydrates
c. Proteins d. Chondroblasts

Answers
1.  b   2.  c   3.  b   4.  a
II. Describe the type of cartilages.
III. Write short notes on:
1.  Elastic cartilage.
2.  Development and growth of cartilage.
3.  General features of cartilage.
4 Sclerous Tissue

Bone–I

DEFINITION
 Bone is essentially a highly vascular, living, constantly changing
mineralized connective tissue.
 It is remarkable for its hardness, resilience, regenerative capacity
and characteristic growth mechanisms.
 Like all other connective tissues, bone consists of cells and
intercellular matrix, the great majority of cells (osteocytes), lying
embedded within it.
 Matrix is composed of organic materials mainly collagen fibers
(which form 40% weight of mature bone) and inorganic salts rich
in calcium and phosphate. Together these give the bone its unique
mechanical properties.
 The fibrous tissue gives the bone toughness and resilience and salts
give them hardness and rigidity and make them opaque to X-rays.
 It has blood vessels, lymph vessels and nerves.
 It grows and is subject to disease.
 When fractured it heals itself and even if the fracture is not set
perfectly its internal structure undergoes compensatory remodeling
in order to withstand strains and stress.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
 When the bone is submerged in a mineral acid, the salts are
removed but the organic material remains and still displays in detail
the shape of an untreated bone. Such a specimen is flexible (Fig. 4.1).
54 Textbook of General Anatomy

Fig. 4.1:  Flexible bone

 The organic material of a buried bone is removed by bacterial


action (i.e. decomposition) and only salts remain. This bone
becomes brittle than procelin; and gets crumbled and fractured
easily.
 Bone that has lain buried in limestone cave become petrified (i.e.
calcium carbonate replaces the organic material).

FUNCTIONS OF THE BONE


Bones provide:
1. Protection for vital structures (i.e. brain and spinal cord, heart, lungs,
liver and bladder)
2. Rigid supporting framework of the body
3. Serve as levers for muscles
4. They contain marrow, which is a factory for blood cells.
5. They are storehouses of calcium and phosphate essential for many
functions, e.g. muscle contraction.

STRUCTURE OF BONE
The structure of dried bone shows two forms of bony tissues:
1. Compact or dense
2. Spongy or cancellous
The difference between two types of bone depends on:
1. The relative amount of the solid matter
2. Number and size of the spaces they contain
Sclerous Tissue 55

Compact Bone (Fig. 4.2)


 The shaft or the body of all long bones is a compact bone.
 When a longitudinal section is made through a long bone it is found
to contain a central cavity within its shaft known as the medullary
cavity.
 Externally it is clothed by a membranous sheath known as
periosteum and internally the medullary cavity is lined by similar
membrane like structure known as endosteum.
 In between the endosteum and periosteum there is a thick layer of
ivory like substance the compact bone, which is responsible for the
hardness of the long bone, strength for weight-bearing and rigidity.
 It gives attachment for muscles and ligaments.
 Amount of compact bone is greatest in the middle of the shaft where
it is liable to buckle.

Spongy or Cancellous Bone (Fig. 4.3)


 They have a thin outer shell of compact bone and network of
lamellae of bone or bony trabeculae within which they are
honeycombed by large cavities, the bone being reduced to a
latticework of bars and plates.

Fig. 4.2:  Compact bone


56 Textbook of General Anatomy

Fig. 4.3:  Spongy bone

 These cavities are occupied by the red bone marrow.


 The lamellae of plates are arranged in lines of pressure and tension.
 Cancellous bone gives additional strength to cortices and supports
the bone marrow.
 The ends of long bones are cancellous or spongy type
 In shaft of long bone a thick cylinder of compact bone presents only
a few trabeculae and spicules on its inner surface so that a large
central medullary or marrow cavity is enclosed.

CLASSIFICATION OF BONES
The bones of the body are classified as under:
1. Developmentally or according to ossification
2. Regionally or according to position
3. According to shape.

Developmentally or According to Ossification


They are classified according to whether they develop in:
1. Membrane: Intramembranous ossification (directly from mesen-
chyme)
Sclerous Tissue 57

2. Cartilage: Endochondral ossification (cartilage derived from mesen-


chyme)
3. Membranocartilaginous ossification.

Intramembranous Ossification (Membrane Bone Formation)


(Figs 4.4A to D)
 Mesenchymal models of bones are formed during the embryonic
period and direct ossification of the mesenchyme begins in the
fetal life.
 Osteoblasts simply lay down in fibrous tissue. There is no cartilage
precusor, for example, bones of the skull vault, face and clavicle.

Endochondral Ossification (Figs 4.5A to C)


 Pre-existing hyaline cartilage model of the bone is gradually
destroyed and replaced by the bone.
 In this type of ossification, cartilage is not converted into the bone.
It is destroyed and then replaced by the bone.
 The site where the bone first forms is the primary center of
ossification and in long bones is in the middle of the shaft
(Diaphysis).
 This center appears about at eighth week of intrauterine life.

A B

C D
Figs 4.4A to D:  Intramembranous ossification. (A) Mesenchymal cells;
(B) Condensation of cells; (C) Apperaeance of blood vessels; (D) Bone
formation
58 Textbook of General Anatomy

A B

C
Figs 4.5A to C:  Endochondral ossification. (A) Mesenchymal cells;
(B) Cartilaginous model (C) Bone formation
 The ends of the long bone (epiphysis) remain cartilaginous and acquire
ossification center much later usually after birth.
 These are called as secondary center of ossification.

Membranocartilaginous Ossification
These bones develop partly from membrane and partly from cartilage,
e.g. temporal bone, occipital bone.

Regionally or According to Position


The bones are classified regionally as follows:
Axial bones Skull Cranium 22
Face Auditory ossicles 6
Hyoid 1
Vertbrae 26
Ribs 24
Sternum 1
Appendicular bones Upper limb
Girdle (shoulder) 64
Free bones
Lower limb 62
Girdle (pelvis)
Free bones
Total 206
This number is neither important nor exact it varies with age.
Sclerous Tissue 59

According to Shape
1. Long bones —  Found in limbs
2. Short bones —  Found in hands
3. Flat —  Found in skull
4. Irregular —  Found in axial skeleton and girdle
5. Pneumatic —  Found in skull
6. Sesamoid —  Found in certain tendons

Long Bones (Fig. 4.6)


 These are tubular and confined to the limbs.
 They have a long bones, have a shaft or body and two expanded
ends.
 The ends usually being specialized for joints are smooth and
covered with articular cartilage. They are either convex or concave
and enlarged.
 The body (medullary cavity) is hollow thus providing maximum
strength with minimum material and weight.
 Typically a long bone has three borders that separate three surfaces.
 On cross-section it is triangular rather than circular.

Short Bones (Figs 4.7A and B)


 These are small polyhedral bones with length and breadth almost
equal.
 Each short bone consists of a spongy substance internally with a
thin layer of compact bone externally.
 Example: Carpal and tarsal bones. They develop in cartilage, and
begin to ossify soon after birth
 Except talus, calcaneous, cuboid which start ossifying after birth.

Flat Bones (Fig. 4.8)


 These are expanded elongated plates of bones found to outline the
cavities of the body.
 Each bone consist of two plates of compact bone tissue with
intervening spongy bone and marrow.
 Example: Bones of vault of skull, ribs, sternum, scapula.
 The intervening spongy tissue in the bone of the vault of the skull
is known as diploe which contains numerous veins.
60 Textbook of General Anatomy

Fig. 4.6:  Long bone

A B

Figs 4.7A and B:  Short bones Fig. 4.8:  Flat bone
(A) Cuboid; (B) Capitate

Irregular Bones (Fig. 4.9)


 These bones are irregular in outline and are situated in places where
strength and compactness are required.
 They consist of spongy bone tissue and marrow with an outer
covering of compact bone.
 Example: Vertebrae, most of the bones of base of skull, hip bone.
Sclerous Tissue 61

Fig. 4.9:  Irregular bone

Pneumatic Bones (Fig. 4.10)


 These bones possess a hollow space within their body, which
contains air.
 They are present in close proximity to nasal cavities and directly
or indirectly communicate with the same.
Functions:
1. It makes the bone lighter.
2. It helps in the resonance of the vibration of sound.
3. It acts as an air conditioning chamber by adding humidity and
temperature to the air and making the air suitable for the purpose
of the body.
4. Sometimes, infection from the nasal cavities extend into the sinuses
and produce “sinusitis”.

Sesamoid Bone (Fig. 4.11)


 Sesamoid bones are small ovoid modules of bones and are named
because of their resemblance to the seeds.
 These bones develop in the tendons are subjected to the friction
during the movement of the joints.
 Sesamoid bones acts as the pulleys for muscle contraction.
Examples:
1. Patella—in quadriceps femoris
2. Pisiform—in the flexor carpi ulnaris
62 Textbook of General Anatomy

Fig. 4.10:  Pneumatic bone

Patella
Fig. 4.11:  Sesamoid bone
Sclerous Tissue 63

3. Two bones beneath the head of 1st metatarsal in flexor hallucis


brevis
4. Flabella—in the lateral head of gastrocnemius
5. On the cuboid bone—in peroneus longus tendon.

Accessory Bones
 Accessory or supernumerary bones are not regularly present.
 They may appear with an extra center of ossification and fail to
unite with the main bone mass.
 In X-ray films they may be mistaken for fractures.
 Accessory bones are common in the skull.
Example: Sutural or wormian bones
Interparietal bones.

Heterotopic Bones
Bones are sometimes formed in soft tissues where they are not
normally present (e.g. in scars)
 Horse riders often develop heterotopic bones in their thighs
(Rider’s bone) probably because of hemorrhagic bloody areas that
undergo calcification and eventual ossification.

Microscopically
The bones are of four types:
1. Lamellar bone: Most of the mature human bones, whether compact
or cancellous, are composed of thin plates of bony tissue called
lamellae. These are arranged in piles in a cancellous bone, but in
concentric cylinders (Haversian system or secondary osteon) in a
compact bone.
2. Fibrous bone found in young fetal bones.
3. Dentine occur in teeth.
4. Cement occur in teeth.

BONE MARKINGS and FORMATIONS


 Bone markings appear wherever tendons, ligaments and fascia are
attached, or where the arteries lie adjacent to or enter bone.
64 Textbook of General Anatomy

 Other formations occur in relation to the passage of a tendon often


to direct the tendon or improve its leverage or to control the type
of movement occurring at the joint.
The various marking and features of bone are:
Condyle: Rounded articular area (the lateral femoral condyle).
Crest: Ridge of a bone (the iliac crest).
Epicondyle: Eminence superior to condyle (the lateral epicondyle of
the humerus).
Facet: Smooth, flat area, usually covered with cartilage, where a bone
articulates with another bone (superior costal facet on the body of
vertebra for articulation with rib).
Foramen: Passage through a bone (the obturator foramen).
Fossa: Hollow or depressed area (the infraspinatus fossa of the scapula).
Groove: Elongated depression or furrow (arterial grooves in calvaria).
Line: Linear elevation (the soleal line of tibia).
Malleolus: Rounded process (the lateral malleolus of fibula).
Notch: Indentation at the edge of the bone (the greater sciatic notch).
Protuberance: Projection of bone (external occipital protuberance).
Spine: Thorn like processes (the spine of the scapula).
Spinous process: Projecting spine like (the spinous process of vertebra).
Trochanter: Large blunt elevation (the greater Trochanter of femur).
Tubercle: Small raised eminence (the greater tubercle of the humerus).
Tuberosity: Large rounded elevation (ischial tuberosity).

BONE AS A TISSUE–II

PARTS OF LONG BONE (Figs 4.12A to C)


 A growing long bone consists of two cartilaginous ends known as
the epiphysis.
 The epiphysis and diaphysis are united together by plate like
cartilage known as epiphyseal cartilage.
 The potion of the diaphysis adjacent to epiphysis is called the
metaphysis.
Sclerous Tissue 65

B C
Figs 4.12A to C:  Parts of long bone
66 Textbook of General Anatomy

Diaphysis
 The tubular shaft of the long bone, which intervenes between the
two epiphysis, is called as diaphysis.
 It ossifies from the primary center of ossification.
 The periosteum is firmly attached to the surface of the bone so
from without inwards it is composed of periosteum, cortex and
medullary cavity.

Periosteum
 It is a fibrous membrane covering the surface of the bone.
 It is made up of the outer fibrous layer and inner cellular layer,
which is osteogenic in nature.
 Periosteum is united to the underlying bone by Sharpey’s fibers.
 At the articular margin periosteum is continuous with the capsule
of the joint.
 Periosteum gets its blood supply by periosteal arteries, which
nourish the outer part of the underlying cortex also.
 Periosteum has a rich nerve supply, which makes it the most
sensitive part of the bone.

Cortex
It is made up of compact bone, which withstands the mechanical strains.

Medullary Cavity
 It is filled with yellow or red bone marrow.
 At birth marrow is red with active hemopoiesis.
 As the age advances red bone marrow atrophies and is replaced by
yellow bone marrow with no power of hemopoesis.
 Red marrow persists in cancellous ends of the long bones.
 In sternum, vertebrae and skull bones the red marrow is found
throughout the life.

Metaphysis
 The portion of diaphysis adjacent to the epiphysial cartilage is
called as metaphysis.
 It consists of vascular tissue where the growth activities are
manifested.
Sclerous Tissue 67

Importance of Metaphysis
 Growth activities are marked in this area.
 This is the most vascular part of the long bone because most of the
blood vessels supplying the bone anastomose in this area.
 Most of the muscles are inserted in this area.
 This area is more liable to injury because it is more exposed to
muscular strains due to attachment of muscles.

Epiphysis
 The ends of the long bone, which develop from the secondary center
of the ossification, are called as epiphysis.
 This is present only in long bones.
 The epiphysis becomes continuous with the rest of the bone when
epiphyseal cartilage undergoes ossification.
There are four types of epiphysis:
a. Pressure epiphysis
b. Traction epiphysis
c. Atavistic epiphysis
d. Aberrant epiphysis

Pressure Epiphysis (Fig. 4.13)


It transmits the body weight and protects the epiphyseal cartilage
 Examples: Head of the femur
Head of the humerus
Condyles of the humerus and tibia

Traction Epiphysis (Fig. 4.13)


It is produced by the pull of the muscle attached to it.
 Examples: Trochanters of femur
Tubercles of humerus

Atavistic Epiphysis (Fig. 4.14)


It is phylogenetically an independent bone but with the progress of
evolution. It has retrogressed and its remnants are found to remain
fused with adjacent bones.
68 Textbook of General Anatomy

Fig. 4.13:  Pressure and traction epiphysis

Fig. 4.14:  Atavistic epiphysis


 Examples: Coracoid process of scapula
Posterior tubercle of talus also called as os trigonum

Aberrant Epiphysis
(Not always present.) Normally the metacarpal bones have only one
epiphysis at the distal end, except the first metacarpal which has its
epiphysis at the proximal end. Sometimes first metacarpal may have
an additional epiphysis at its distal end. This is called as aberrant
epiphysis.
Sclerous Tissue 69

Epiphyseal Plate of Cartilage (Fig. 4.15)


 It separates epiphysis from metaphysis.
 Proliferation of cells in this plate are responsible for lengthwise
growth of a long bone.
 When bone growth ceases and diaphysis fuses with the epiphysis
the seam formed during this fusion process (synostosis) is dense
and called as epiphyseal line.
 The structure of epiphyseal cartilage is as follows (from epiphysis
to diaphysis)
 Zone of resting cartilage
 Zone of proliferating young cartilage cells, arranged in rows of
longitudinal columns
 Zone of mature cartilage
 Zone of calcified cartilage (Bone formation).

GROWTH OF A LONG BONE


 During growth period a long bone increases in thickness and in
length.

Fig. 4.15:  Epiphyseal plate of cartilage


70 Textbook of General Anatomy

 Bone grows in thickness by multiplication of cells in periosteum.


 It grows in length by multiplication of cells in epiphyseal cartilage.
 Osteoblast cells deposit new bone on the surface and at the ends
of a long bone.
 Growth in length of long bone proceeds more in one direction,
which is called as growing end.
 The shape of the bone is maintained by the removal of unwanted
bone by osteoclasts.
 This process of removal of unwanted bone is called as remodeling
and this is how marrow cavity increases in diameter.

FACTORS AFFECTING GROWTH OF A BONE


Nutritional
a. Deficiency of vitamin A: Causes
In rickets the cartilage cells
disturbances in bone formation and
of epiphyseal plate do
destruction. This reduces the size of not die and plate becomes
spinal and cranial foramina. thick and irregular. Due to
b. Deficiency of vitamin C: Interferes weight-bearing Rachitic
with the production of organic inter- children may be bowlegged.
cellular matrix.
c. Deficiency of vitamin D: Interferes with the calcification of the
osteoid matrix.
d. Disuse atrophy: A local osteoporosis may occur when the limb is
paralyzed or immovable.

Hormonal
Pituitary Gland
Hypersecretion of alpha cells: Osteoporosis: During
 Before puberty causes persistent old age both organic and
growth at the epiphyseal cartilage inorganic components of
with consequent gigantism. bone decrease, producing,
 After puberty causes renewed osteoporosis a reduction in
subperiosteal deposition of bones the quantity of bone. Hence,
in various parts of body, notably in the bones become brittle,
hands, feet and skull. This is called lose their elasticity, and
as acromegaly. fracture easily.
Sclerous Tissue 71

Hyposecretion of alpha cells:


Causes failure of normal growth of bones. This is called as dwarfism.
Parathyroid gland:
In hypersecretion of parathyroid hormone
Calcium is removed from the bones by stimulating osteoclastic
resorption. This is called as osteitis fibrosa.

Genetic Factors
 Chondrodystrophia fetalis—this condition is due to autosomal
dominant inheritance.
 Here the endochondral ossification fails to occur properly.
 The cartilage bones are affected whereas membrane bones develop
normally.

Mechanical Factors
 Tensile force—helps in bone formation
 Compressive force—helps in bone resorption.

LAWS OF OSSIFICATION
 Ossification begins from a particular point and spreads out in a
radiating manner to the different portions of the bone. This is center
of ossification.
 The center of ossification may be primary or secondary. Primary
center appears before birth, except cuneiform and navicular.
 Secondary center appears after birth, except—lower end of femur
where secondary center appears before birth.

LAWS OF UNION OF EPIPHYSIS


 The epiphysis which begins to ossify first unites with the diaphysis
last. Except—lower end of fibula where ossification begins earlier
and unites with the body earlier.
 The epiphysis towards which the nutrient artery is directed unites
with the diaphysis first.
 Center of ossification of epiphysis appears first in the growing end
of the bone.
72 Textbook of General Anatomy

 The different centers of ossification of an epiphysis unite together


first before union with the diaphysis.

BLOOD SUPPLY OF BONE


 A bone gets nutrition from the blood.
 Distribution of blood vessels differ according to the type of bone.

Blood Supply of Long Bone (Fig. 4.16)


A long bone gets its blood supply from the following sources:

Nutrient Artery
 The nutrient artery enters the long bone through the nutrient
foramen.
 On entering into the bone artery soon divides into two branches,
one for each end of the bone.
 Each artery again break up into smaller parallel branches which run
into the metaphysis where they freely anastomose with terminal
branches of metaphyseal arteries.

Fig. 4.16:  Blood supply of long bone


Sclerous Tissue 73

 Radial branches enters the Harversian canal and Volkman’s canal


and supply the cortex.

Metaphyseal or Juxta-epiphyseal Arteries


 These are small arteries derived from arterial anastomosis around
the joint.
 Then they enter the bone by piercing it in region of attachment of
capsular ligament.

Epiphyseal Arteries
 These are derived from the arterial anastomosis around the joint.
 They penetrate into the epiphysis.

Periosteal Arteries
 These blood vessels lie within the periosteum, and end by supplying
the superficial portion of the cortex.

Blood Supply of the Short Long Bones (Fig. 4.17)


Short long bones have only one epiphysis and metaphysis.

Fig. 4.17:  Blood supply of short long bone


74 Textbook of General Anatomy

Nutrient Artery
 It enters the nutrient foramen and break up into the several branches
which freely anastomose to form plexuses within the shaft.
 The tuberculosis and syphillis are common in shaft in early years
of life, because the nutrient artery immediately breaks into plexus
on reaching the medullary cavity.

Epiphyseal and Metaphyseal Arteries


 Supply only epiphyseal end of bone.
 At the opposite end there is insufficient blood supply.

Periosteal Arteries
In adults, periosteal arteries supply major part of the bone and replace
the nutrient vessels. Hence infection of short long bones is less frequent
in adults.

Blood Supply of Flat Bones (Fig. 4.18)


 Nutrient artery: After entering the bone it breaks up into branches,
which ramify all over the bone.
 Periosteal arteries: They form main source of blood supply.

Blood Supply of Irregular Bones (Fig. 4.19)


Blood Supply of Vertebra
 One or more vessels enter the body through a basivertebral foramen.
 A set of arteries pierce anterolateral surface.
 One vessel enters root of the tranverse process and supplies
vertebral arch and its processes.
 In verterbrae, body is richly supplied by blood vessels thus spread
of tuberculosis and syphilis is common.

NERVE SUPPLY OF BONE


Fine myelinated and nonmyelinated fibers accompany the blood
vessels to enter into the substance of the bone.
Sclerous Tissue 75

Fig. 4.18:  Blood supply of flat bone

Fig. 4.19:  Blood supply of irregular bone


76 Textbook of General Anatomy

LYMPHATICS OF BONE
Lymphatic are mostly confined to periosteum and Harvesian system.

FRACTURE OF THE BONE AND ITS REPAIR


 A fracture means a break in the continuity of the bone.
 Trauma to a bone (during an accident) may break it.
 For the fracture to heal properly, the broken ends must be brought
together approximating to their normal position. This is called
reduction of a fracture.
 During bone healing, the surrounding fibroblasts (connective tissue
cells) proliferate and secrete collagen that forms a collar of callus to
hold the bones together.
 Remodeling of bone occurs in the fracture area and the callus calcifies.
 Eventually, the callaus is reabsorbed and replaced by bone. Fractures
are more common in children than in adults. Fortunately, many of these
breaks are Greenstick fractures (incompletes breaks by bending of
bones).
 Fractures in growing bones heal faster than in adult bones.

Review Questions
I. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Vertebrae are classified as:
a. Short bone b. Irregular bone
c. Flat bone d. Sesamoid bone
2. Following bone develop in a tendon:
a. Pisiform b. Cuboid
c. Scaphoid d. Triquetral
3. Coracoid process of scapula is an example of following type of
epiphysis:
a. Pressure b. Traction
c. Atavistic d. Aberrant
4. Secondary center of lower end of femur appears in:
a. One year of life b. Six months of life
c. Ninth month of intrauterine life d. Just before birth
5. Following cells do the functions of resorption of bone:
a. Osteoblast b. Osteoclast
c. Osteocytes d. Osteogenic
Sclerous Tissue 77

6. Syphilis is common in:


a. Long bone b. Short long bone
c. Irregular bone d. Pneumatic bone

Answers
1.  b   2.  a   3.  c   4.  d   5.  b   6.  b
II. Give the classification of bones.
III. Write short notes on:
a. Types of epiphysis.
b. Blood supply of long bones.
c. Endochondral ossification.
d. Intramembranous ossification.
e. Draw a diagram of a long bone.
5 Joints

Joints–i
DEFINITION
 A joint is an articulation a place of union or junction between two
or more bones or parts of bones of skeleton.
 Joints exhibit a variety of form and functions.
 Some joints have no movements. Others allow only slight move-
ment and some are freely movable such as the shoulder joint.

CLASSIFICATION OF JOINTS
Joints are classified structurally, based on their anatomical
characteristics and functionally, based on the type of movement they
permit.

Structural Classification
Structural classification of joints is based on two criteria:
 Presence or absence of a space between the articulating bones called
as synovial cavity
 Types of connective tissue that binds the bones together.
Structurally joints are classified as one of the following types:
1. Fibrous joints
2. Cartilaginous joints
3. Synovial joints
Joints 79

Functional Classification (Figs 5.1A to C)


Functionally joints are classified according to the degree of mobility:
Synarthrosis (Immovable) like fibrous joints
Amphiarthrosis (Slightly movable) like cartilaginous joints
Diarthrosis (Freely movable) like synovial joints.

Synarthrosis
 These are fixed joints at which there is no movement
 The articular surfaces are joined by tough fibrous tissue
 Often the edges of the bones are dovetailed into one another as in
the sutures of the skull.

Amphiarthrosis
 These are joints at which slight movement is possible.
 A pad of cartilage lies between the bone surfaces and there is a
fibrous capsule to hold the bones and cartilage in place.
 The cartilages of such joints also act as shock absorbers, e.g.
intervertebral discs between the bodies of the vertebrae.

C
Figs 5.1A to C:  Functional classification of joints
80 Textbook of General Anatomy

Diarthrosis or Synovial Joints


 They are known as freely movable joints.
 Though at some of them movement is restricted by the shape of
the articulating surfaces and by the ligaments which hold the bones
together.
 A synovial joint has a fluid filled cavity between articular surfaces.
 Articular surfaces are covered by articular cartilage.
 Synovial fluid is produced by the synovial membrane which lines
the cavity except for the actual articular surfaces.

Regional Classification
Regionally the bones are classified as:
i. Skull type—Immovable
ii. Vertebral type—Slightly movable
iii. Limb type—Freely movable.

STRUCTURAL CLASSIFICATION IS MOST COMMONLY


FOLLOWED
So coming to structural classification again which we will study in detail.
Structurally joints are classified as one of the following types:
1. Fibrous joints
2. Cartilaginous joints
3. Synovial joints.

Fibrous Joints
 These are also considered as synarthrosis with no movement or
slight movement.
 In these joints bones are united by fibrous tissue.
 Fibrous joints are of three types:
 Sutures
 Syndesmosis
 Gomphosis

Sutures (Figs 5.2 and 5.3)


 These are peculiar to the skull and are immovable.
Joints 81

 Sutural joints usually appear between those bones which ossify in


membranes.
 Sutural membranes or ligaments connect the periosteum covering
the outer and inner surfaces of the bones which provide bone growth
and bind together the apposed margins of bones.

Types of Sutures
1. Serrate suture: The edges of the bones present saw toothed appear-
ance, e.g. sagittal suture of the skull (Fig. 5.2A).

Figs 5.2A to E:  Type of joints


82 Textbook of General Anatomy

Fig. 5.3:  Sutural joint

2. Denticulate suture: The margins, present teeth with the tips being
broader that roots, e.g. lambdoid suture (Fig. 5.2B).
3. Squamous suture: Here the edges of the bones are united by over-
lapping, e.g. between parietal bone and squamous part of temporal
bone (Fig. 5.2C).
4. Plane suture: Borders are plane and united by sutural ligaments,
e.g. articulations between palatine processes of maxillae (Fig. 5.2D).
5. Wedge and groove suture (schindylesis): The edge of one bone fits
in the groove of other bone, e.g. between rostrum of sphenoid and
upper margin of vomer (Fig. 5.2E).

Syndesmosis (Fig. 5.4)


 It is a type of fibrous joint where the surfaces of the bones are
united by interosseous ligaments, and the bones concerned lie
some distance apart.
 Such ligaments persist throughout life and slight amount of move-
ment is possible.
Joints 83

Fig. 5.4:  Syndesmosis

Example:
Interosseous membrane of the forearm and leg
Inferior tibiofibular joint.

Gomphosis—Peg and Socket Joint (Fig. 5.5)


 Here the roots of the teeth fit in the sockets of the jaw and are united
by the fibrous membrane.

Cartilaginous Joints
 Cartilaginous joints are of two varieties:
Primary cartilaginous joints (Synchondroses)
Secondary cartilagenous joints (Symphysis)

Primary Cartilaginous Joint (Synchondroses) (Fig. 5.6) or


Hyaline Cartilage Joints
 The bones are united by a plate of hyaline cartilage so that the
joint is immovable and strong
84 Textbook of General Anatomy

Fig. 5.5:  Gomphosis (peg and socket joint)

Fig. 5.6:  Synchondrosis

 These joints are temporary in nature because after a certain age the
cartilaginous plate is replaced by a bone (Synostosis) (Fig. 5.7)
 No movement is possible at this joint.
 It is primarily designed for bone growth
Examples:
1. Joint between epiphysis and diaphysis of a growing long bone
with the help of epiphyseal plate.
–– The joint is replaced by a bone when longitudinal growth of
the diaphysis is complete
–– Primary cartilaginous joints permit growth in the length of
a bone
Joints 85

Fig. 5.7:  Synostosis

–– When full growth is achieved the epiphyseal plate converts


to bone and the epiphysis fuse with the diaphysis.
2. First chondrosternal joint
–– It is considered as synchondrosis and there is subsequent
synostosis which provides stability to the sternoclavicular
joint through which stress is transmitted from the clavicle
to the first costal cartilage during movement of the shoulder
girdle.
Note: This is unlike the second to seventh, chondrosternal
joints which are synovial.
3. Articulation between basiocciput and basisphenoid
–– Synchondrosis is converted into synostosis at about 25 years.

Secondary Cartilaginous Joints (Symphysis) (Fig. 5.8) or


Fibrocartilaginous Joints
 These are strong and slightly movable joints, they provide strength
and absorb shock as well as provide considerable flexibility to the
vertebral column.
 The articular surfaces are covered by a thin layer of hyaline cartilage
and united by a disc of fibrocartilage.
 These joints are permanent and persist throughout life.
 Typically they appear in the median plane of the body.
Examples:
Intervertebral discs (Fig. 5.9)
 Between the vertebral bodies.
86 Textbook of General Anatomy

Fig. 5.8:  Secondary cartilaginous joint

Fig. 5.9:  Intervertebral disc

 Each intervertebral (fibrocartilaginous) disc consist of annulus


fibrosis at the periphery and nucleus pulposus in the center.
 The annulus fibrosis is composed of series of concentric layers
and fibers in alternate layers are arranged in ‘X’ like manner
 The nucleus pulposus is a gelatinous mass containing abundant
water, cartilage cells and occasional multinucleated notochordal
cells.
Joints 87

 As age advances, notochordal cells disappear and the nucleus


is replaced by fibrocartilage.
 The intervertebral discs acts as a shock-absorber.
 Offer resistance to compression and ensure even distribution
of compressive forces to the upper and lower surfaces of the
vertebral bodies.
 Sometimes the disc is prolapsed posteriorly, resulting in radiating
root pain due to involvement of spinal nerves.
Other examples are:
1. Symphysis pubis
2. Manubriosternal joints.

JOINTS–II

Synovial Joints
Definition of Synovial Joints
 Synovial joints are the most common type of joint
 They are most evolved and; therefore, most mobile type of joints
 They provide free movements between the bones, they join and are
typical of all limb joints
 Their name comes from the lubricating substance (synovial fluid)
that is present in the joint cavity or synovial cavity which is lined
with synovial membrane or articular cartilage
 The synovial membrane consists of vascular connective tissue that
produces synovial fluid.

Characteristics of Synovial Joints (Figs 5.10A and B)


1. The joint presents a cavity called as joint cavity which is filled with
viscous synovial fluid.
 The joint cavity allows the joint to be freely movable
 Hence all synovial joints are classified functionally as Diarthroses.
2. The articular surfaces are covered with hyaline (articular) cartilage.
 Articular cartilage is avascular, non-nervous, and elastic
 It is lubricated with synovial fluid.
 The cartilage provides slippery surface for free movements
 The surface of cartilage shows fine indulations filled with
synovial fluid.
88 Textbook of General Anatomy

B
Figs 5.10A and B:  Synovial joints

3. Between the articular surfaces there is a joint cavity filled with


synovial fluid.
 The cavity may be partially or completely subdivided by an
articular disc or meniscus.
4. The joint is surround by an articular capsule (fibrous capsule lined
with synovial membrane).
 Because of its rich nerve supply the fibrous capsule is sensitive
to stretches imposed by movements.
 This sets up appropriate reflexes to protect the joint from any
sprain
 This is called the ‘Watch-dog’ action of the capsule.
5. Synovial membrane
 Lines whole of the interior of the joint
Joints 89

Except for the articular surfaces covered by hyaline cartilage


The synovial membrane secretes a slimy viscous fluid called as
synovial fluid
 Synovial fluid lubricates the joint and nourishes the articular
cartilage.
6. Varying degrees of movements are always permitted by the synovial
joints.

Description of the component parts of


synovial joints
Component parts of synovial joint are:
a. Articular cartilage
b. Synovial fluid
c. Articular capsule
d. Synovial membrane
e. Articular disc or meniscus.

Articular Cartilage
 The articular cartilage of most joints is hyaline in structure, except
in those bones which are ossified in membrane where it is composed
of fibrocartilage
 Hyaline articular cartilage is avascular, non-nervous and elastic
 On the convex articular surface (male) the cartilage is thickest in
the center and thinnest at the periphery
 On the concave surface (female); however, it is thinnest in the center
and thickest at the periphery
 The articular cartilage, once damaged cannot be replaced by hyaline
tissue
 Replacement takes place by fibrous tissue hence, articular cartilage
is indispensable.

Functions
 It provides a smooth gliding surface.
 It reduces forces of compression during weight-bearing or muscle
action.
 The surface of cartilage is not perfectly smooth and shows fine
undulations which are filled with synovial fluid.
90 Textbook of General Anatomy

 In fact, articular cartilage is extremely porous and absorbs synovial


fluid in the resting condition
 When the joint is compressed, synovial fluid is squeezed out of
the cartilage.
 It regulates the growth of epiphysis.

Changes in articular cartilage with age:


1. Degenerative changes
 Occur in central part of cartilage.
2. Proliferative changes
 Occur around edge of articular cartilage
 Cartilage cells proliferate in these regions and are replaced by
bones which are called as osteophytes.
Nutrition
Nutrition of articular cartilage is derived from three sources:
a. From synovial fluid
b. By diffusion from capillaries at the periphery of the articular carti-
lage
c. By diffusion from the adjacent epiphyseal blood vessels.

Synovial Fluid
 It is a viscous and glairy fluid which fills the joint cavity
 The synovial fluid as a dialysate of the blood plasma into which
hyaluronic acid is added from the synovial membrane
 The viscosity of the fluid depends on the concentration of the hyalu-
ronic acid. More acid makes the fluid more viscous.

Function of the Fluid


 It maintains nutrition of the articular cartilage
 It provides lubrication of joint cavity to prevent wear and tear.
 Lubrication is helped by the following factor:
 The articular surfaces of the bones are not perfectly congruous.
 It provides a space for flushing of the fluid.
 The synovial fluid spreads as an elastic ‘fluid film’ over the
moving articular surfaces.
 During weight-bearing the fluid is squeezed out from the
interstices of the porous articular surfaces and exerts a sort of
‘weeping’ lubrication.
Joints 91

Entrapped synovial fluid in the articular sponge is enriched with



the secretion of hyaluronic acid from the cartilage cells.
 This helps in boostering effect of lubrication by increasing
viscosity.
 Viscosity of the fluid maintains lubrication.
 In cold temperature viscosity increases and this accounts for
the stiffness of the joints in cold countries.
 Move movements of the joint encourage more lubrication:
 Sometimes a person experiences difficulty in starting movements
during morning hours but when movements are continued, stiffness
of the joints lessens.

Articular Capsule
It consists of outer fibrous capsule and inner synovial membrane.

Fibrous Capsule
 Completely invests the joint and is attached by continuous lines to
the bones forming the joints close to their articular cartilages
 Capsule is formed by bundles of collagen fibers which are sensitive
to changes in position of joint
 It is pierced by blood vessels and nerves
 Sometimes, the capsule presents opening through which synovial
membrance comes out to act as bursa for the tendon of neighboring
muscle.

Functions of Fibrous Capsule


 It binds the articulating bones together.
 Numerous sensory nerve endings ramify on the capsule.
 These nerves when stimulated produce contraction of the muscles
by reflexes and thereby protect the joints.

Synovial Membrane
It is a highly vascular and cellular connective tissue membrane which
lines the inner aspect of the fibrous capsule and the bones lying within
the capsule but ceases at the periphery of the articular cartilage,
articular disc or meniscus.
92 Textbook of General Anatomy

Functions
 The membrane secretes synovial fluid which provides nutrition to
the articular cartilage.
 It liberates hyaluronic acid which maintains viscosity of the fluid.
 It removes particulate matters and worn-out cartilage cells by the
phogocytic activity.

Articular Disc or Meniscus


 Sometimes the joint cavity is divided completely or incompletely
by an articular disk or meniscus which is attached at the periphery
to the fibrous capsule
 Structurally, articular disc is fibrocartilaginous.
Examples:
 Knee joint (divides joint cavity incompletely)
 Temporomandibular joint (divides the joint cavity completely
into two compartments).

Function of the Disc or Meniscus


 It helps in lubrication
 It prevents wear and tear of the articular cartilage
 A disc or meniscus appears in those joints where gliding movement
is associated with angular movement.

Classification of Synovial Joints


Synovial joints are classified as follows:
 According to number of articuling bones:
 Simple joints
 Compound joints
 Complex joints.
 According to the axis of movements and shape of articular surfaces:
 Uniaxial joint
 Biaxial joint
 Polyaxial joint
 Plane joint.
Joints 93

According to the Number of Articulating Bones


Simple Joint (Fig. 5.11)
 Occur when two bones enter in the articulation, e.g. interphalangeal
joints of fingers and toes.

Compound Joint (Fig. 5.12)


 More than two articular bones are involved.
 Sharing a common articular capsule, e.g. ankle joint.

Complex Joint (Fig. 5.13)


 When a joint is divided into two compartments by an articular disc
or meniscus, e.g. knee joint.

Fig. 5.11:  Simple joints (Interphalangeal joint and meta-


carpophalangeal joint)
94 Textbook of General Anatomy

Fig. 5.12:  Compound joint (Ankle joint)

Fig. 5.13:  Complex joint (Meniscus)


Joints 95

According to Axis of Movements and Shape of


Articular Surfaces
Uniaxial Joint
It has one degree freedom of movement and is subdivided into three
types:
 Hinge or ginglymus joints (Fig. 5.14)
 Moves on a transverse axis.
 One articular surface is convex
 Other surface is reciprocally curved, e.g. elbow joint.
 Pivot or trochoid joint (Figs 5.15A and B)
 Movements take place on a vertical axis
 One bone acts as a pivot which is encircled by an osseoliga-
mentous ring.
Examples:
–– Atlantoaxial joint

Fig. 5.14:  Hinge joint (Elbow joint)


96 Textbook of General Anatomy

A B
Figs 5.15A and B:  Pivot joint (Superior radioulnar joint)

–– Superior radioulnar joint


Pivot is formed by the head of radius and the ring is formed by

annular ligament and ulna is fixed.
 Condylar joint
 It moves mainly on a transverse axis and partly on a vertical axis
 Hence also called as modified hinge joint, e.g. knee joint each
bone consists of two distinct articular surfaces, each is known
as condyle.

Biaxial Joints
 These joints have two degree freedom of movements.
 They are of two types.
Ellipsoid joint (Fig. 5.16)
 One articular surface is convex and elliptical
 Other articular surface is concave and reciprocally curved
 Movements take place around transverse and anteroposterior
axis.
Joints 97

Fig. 5.16:  Ellipsoid joints (Radiocarpal joint)

 Movements occruing are flexion, extension, adduction, abduction,


circumduction, e.g. radiocarpel joint.
Saddle joint (Fig. 5.17)
 The apposing articular surfaces are concavo-convex in reciprocal
manner.
 In addition to above movements, rotation also takes place at this
joint, e.g. first carpometacarpal joint.

Polyaxial Joints
 Possess three degree freedom of movements
 Morphologically—ball and socket type of joint
 Axis of movement—transverse, vertical and anteroposterior
 Movements permissible are—flexion, extension, adduction, abduc-
tion, rotation and circumduction, e.g.—shoulder joint.

Plane Joints
 The articular surfaces are flat and produce gliding movements in
various directions, e.g. intercarpal and intertarsal joints.
98 Textbook of General Anatomy

Fig. 5.17:  Saddle joint (First carpometacarpal joint)

Peculiarities of Synovial Joints


 Articular surfaces are not perfectly congrous
A potential joint space must be available for flushing of the

synovial joint.
 Sometimes, folds of synovial membrane
 Containing fat projects into the joint cavity
 These pads of fat are intracapsular but extrasynovial and are
known as haversian glands
 They are in liquid condition at body temperature, e.g. acetabular
fat of hip joint.

Movements and Mechanism of Movements of Synovial Joints


Types of movements in synovial joints are:
 Gliding movements
 This movement takes place in plane joints where one bone slips
over the other, e.g. small joints of hands and foot.
 Angular movements
 Flexion and extension. Flexion means bending and extension
means straightening.
 Adduction and abduction
 Movement away and towards the median plane.
 Circumduction
 It is a combination of four angular movements
 In successive order describing a cone.
Joints 99

ROTATION
 This movements occurs around a vertical axis
 Axis of rotation in shoulder joint passes through the long axis of
humerus.

Blood Supply of Joints


 The articular and epiphyseal branches are given off by neighboring
arteries which form a periarticular arterial plexus
 Numerous vessels from this plexus pierce the fibrous capsule and
form a rich vascular plexus in the deeper part of synovial membrane
 It supplies capsule, synovial membrane and the epiphysis
 The articular cartilage is a vascular.

Lymphatic Drainage of Synovial Joints


 Lymphatic form a plexus in the subintima of the synovial membrane
and drain along the blood vesseals to the regional lymph nodes.

Nerve Supply of Synovial Joints


 The capsule and ligaments possess a rich nerve supply which make
them acutely sensitive to pain:
 The synovial membrane has poor nerve supply
 The articular cartilage is non-nervous
 Articular nerves contain sensory and autonomic fibers some of
the sensory fibers are proprioceptive in nature
 The principles of distribution of nerves to joints were first
described by Hilton, thus it is called as ‘Hilton’s law
 The law says that the nerves which supply a joint, also furnish
branches to the group of muscles regulating the movements of
the joint and the skin over the joint.

Applied Anatomy
 Dislocation of joint
 This is a condition in which the articular surfaces of the joint are
abnormally displaced.
100 Textbook of General Anatomy

 Sprain
It is a severe pain in a joint caused by ligamentous tear, but

without any associated dislocation or fracture.
 Arthritis
 It is inflammation of one or more joints, it can be caused by a
variety of diseases like rheumatic arthritis, osteoarthritis.
 Neuropathic joint
 It is the result of complete denervation, so that the reflexes
are eliminated and the joint is left unprotected and liable to
mechanical damage.
 It is commonly caused by leprosy, tabes dorsalis and syringo-
myelia.

Review Questions
I. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Rotatory movements of joints take place on:
a. Transverse axis b. Anteroposterior
c. Vertical axis d. All above axis
2. Articular cartilage of most joints is:
a. Elastic b. Hyaline
c. White fibrocartilage d. Cellular
3. Example of saddle joint is:
a. First carpometacarpel joint
b. Metacarpophalangeal joint
c. First interphalangeal joint
d. Intercarpal joint
4. First chondrosternal joint is:
a. Secondary cartilaginous joint
b. Primary cartilaginous joint
c. Synovial joint
d. Fibrous joint
5. Example of pivot joint is:
a. Metacarpophalangeal joint
b. Superior radioulnar joint
c. Elbow joint
d. Radiocarpal joint
Joints 101

6. Subtype gomphosis is classified under:


a. Biaxial synovial joint b. Symphysis
c. Fibrous joint d. Synchondrosis

Answers
1. c  2. b  3. a  4. b  5. b  6. c
II. Describe the components of synovial joints.
III. Write short notes on:
1.  Primary cartilaginous joints.
2.  Classification of synovial joints.
3.  Peculiarities of synovial joints.
6 Muscular Tissue

MUSCLE–I

INTRODUCTION
 Muscle is a contractile tissue and is primarily designed for movements.
 The fundamental property is contractility which is developed in
highly specialized form.
 Muscle cells are often called as muscle fibers or myocytes because
they are long and narrow when relaxed.
 They produce contractions that move body parts including internal
organs.
 The associated connective tissue conveys nerve fibers and capillaries
to the muscle fibers, as it binds them into bundles or fascicles.
 Muscle also gives form to the body and provides heat.
 The word muscle is derived from “Mouse” because of its fancied
resemblance to mice and tendon represents its tail.

TYPES OF MUSCLE
There are three types of muscle:
1. Skeletal muscle
2. Cardiac muscle
3. Smooth muscle
Structurally, on the basis of presence or absence of striations
muscles are subdivided into two groups. Striated and nonstriated
(smooth) muscle.
Muscular Tissue 103

The striated group is further subdivided into skeletal and cardiac


types:

Skeletal Muscle (Fig. 6.1)


 Skeletal muscle forms the bulk of the muscular tissue of the body.
 It is supplied by the somatic motor nerves.
 It consists of parallel bundles of long multinucleated fibers which
is turn are made up of myofilaments, actin, myosin and tropo-
mycin.
 It exhibits cross-striations under the microscope.
 Skeletal muscle is also called as voluntary muscle because
the movements in which it participates are often initiated under
conscious control.
 But this is a misleading term because skeletal muscle is involved
in many such movements. For example, breathing, blinking,

Fig. 6.1:  Skeletal muscle


104 Textbook of General Anatomy

swallowing, action of muscles of perineum, which occur usually


at an unconscious level.

Cardiac Muscle (Fig. 6.2)


 Cardiac muscle is found only in the heart and in the walls of large
veins where they enter the heart.
 They are supplied by autonomic nerves, thus involuntary.
 It consists of branching network of individual cells that are linked
electrically and mechanically to function as a single unit.
 Each muscle has a single nucleus placed centrally.
 Cross-striations are less prominent.
 Cardiac muscle is less powerful than skeletal muscle but more
resistant to fatigue.
 It is intrinsically capable of automatic and rhythmic contractions.

Smooth Muscle (Fig. 6.3)


 These muscles often encircle or surround the viscera
 Autonomic nerves supply them, thus involuntary.
 The elongated cells are small and taper at the ends.
 Cross-striations are not prominent because the actin and myosin
filaments are not organized into repeating units. Thus, appear
non-striated (smooth).
 Nucleus single centrally placed.
 Capable of slow and sustained contractions.
 Smooth muscle is also called as involuntary muscle.

Fig. 6.2:  Cardiac muscle


Muscular Tissue 105

Fig. 6.3:  Smooth muscle

For example, all systems of body, in the walls of viscera, GIT, etc.
Tunica media of blood vessels.

In the dermis (Arrector pilorum muscle of skin)

Intrinsic muscles of the eye

Dartos muscle of the scrotum

 In some places it is associated with the skeletal muscle, e.g.
 Sphincters of anus
 Urinary bladder
 Transitional zone of esophagus.

Myoepithelial Cells (Fig. 6.4)


 They are found in association with number of secretary glands.
 They contain contractile elements similar to smooth muscle
 They are ectodermal in origin.

Fig. 6.4:  Myoepithelial cell


106 Textbook of General Anatomy

 The cells are located between the glandular epithelial cells and the
basement membrane.
 These cells are stellae and basket like in form, with long dendritic
extensions clasping on adjacent glandular acini, e.g. salivary glands
and mammary glands.

SKELETAL MUSCLE (GROSS ORGANIZATION) (Fig. 6.5)


 Each muscle fiber forms a unit structure of the muscle.
 It is long multinucleated cylindrical structure, which is surrounded
by a thin connective tissue sheath known as endomycium.
 Several fibers are organized into small bundles, which are called
as fasciculli.
 Each fasciculus is surrounded by connective tissue called as
perimycium.
 Connective tissue that surrounds the entire muscle is called as
epimycium.

Organization of Skeletal Muscle Fiber (Fig. 6.6)


 A skeletal muscle consists of muscle fasciculi.
 Each fasciculus consists of a group of muscle fibers.
 Each muscle fiber consists of a group of myofibrils.
 Each myofibril is composed of a group of myofilaments.
 There are two types of myofilaments.
 Actin and myosin which differ from each other in chemical
composition and in dimensions.

Single Muscle Fiber (Figs 6.7 and 6.8)


 Each muscle fiber is an elongated cell surrounded by sarcolemma
within which are evenly distributed longitudinal threads known as
Myofibrils.
 The sarcoplasm is filled with organelles and several nuclei are
arranged at the periphery beneath the sarcolemma.
 Each myofibril shows alternate dark and light bands.
 Dark bands are called as A-bands (anisotropic).
 Light bands are called as I-bands (isotropic) bands.
 The bands of adjacent fibrils are aligned transversely so that fiber
appears cross-striated.
Muscular Tissue 107

Fig. 6.5:  Skeletal muscle (Gross organization)

Fig. 6.6:  Organization of single muscle fiber

Fig. 6.7:  Single muscle fiber


108 Textbook of General Anatomy

Fig. 6.8:  Structure of myofibril (Sarcomere)

 In the middle of A-band there is light H-band with M-band (dark)


in its middle.
 In middle of I-band there is dark Z line or Krause membrane.
 The segment of myofibril between two Z lines is called as sarcomere.

Structure of Myofibril (Fig. 6.9)


 The segment of myofibril between two Z lines is called
sarcomere.
 Each myofibril is composed of longitudinal protein filaments
called myofilaments.
 These myofilaments are contractile elements of the striated muscle.
 Myofilaments are of two types; the thin Actin filaments and the
thick Myosin filaments.
Muscular Tissue 109

Fig. 6.9:  Structure of myofibril (Relaxed and contracted)

 During muscle contraction actin filaments slide between the myosin


filaments towards the center of the sarcomere.
 Thus the Z line comes closer with shortening of the contractile
unit.

Importance of the Connective Tissue Investments


 Connective tissue carry blood vessels which reach each individual
fiber.
 These blood vessels provide oxygen and nourishment to individual
muscle fibers.
 They eliminate waste products from the muscle fibers.
 Connective tissue binds the contractile units (muscle fibers) together
so that when muscle contracts the individual fiber of each muscle
unit add together to a common pool.
110 Textbook of General Anatomy

TYPES OF SKELETAL MUSCLE FIBERS


There are two types of skeletal muscle fibers:
1. Slow twitch or red fibers or type I fibers
2. Fast twitch or white fibers or type II fibers

Slow or Red Fibers or Type I Fibers


 They are red in color due to presence of myohemoglobin.
 These are thin fibers rich in mitochondria, and oxidative enzymes,
but poor in phosphorylases and glycogen.
 Functionally
 These fibers contract slowly
 These contractions remain more sustained.
 Thus suitable for maintaining posture, e.g. brachialis, soleus.

Fast or White Fibers or Type II Fibers


 They are paler and thicker than slow fibers
 They have few mitochondria, and less oxidative enzymes
 But rich in glycogen and phosphorylases
 Functionally
 These fibers contract quickly
 But their contractions remain less sustained, e.g. biceps brachii,
gastrocnemius.

PARTS OF A SKELETAL MUSCLE (Fig. 6.10)


 A skeletal or voluntary muscle consists of fleshy and a fibrous part.
 Fleshy belly stretches between two points across a joint.
 Attachment proximal to the joint is called as origin.
 Attachment distal to the joint is called as insertion.
 Fibers of origin are either fleshy or tendinous.
 Fibers of insertion are usually tendinous, condensed to form a chord
like structure known as tendon.
 When flattened and membranous known as aponeurosis.

Tendons
 Tendons are immensely strong.
 Fibers of a tendon are strictly parallel but plaited.
Muscular Tissue 111

Fig. 6.10:  Parts of skeletal muscle

 They twine about each other in such a manner that fibers from any
given point at the fleshy end of the tendon are represented at all
points at the insertional end.

FASCICULAR ARCHITECTURE OF MUSCLE


 Arrangement of muscle fiber varies according to direction, force,
range of movement at a particular joint.
 Range of movement is directly proportional to the length of fibers.
 Force of contraction is directly proportional to the number and size
of muscle fibers.
 The muscles are classified according to the arrangement of their
fasciculi into following groups:
 Parallel
 Pennate
 Spiral
 Cruciate.

Parallel Muscles (Fig. 6.11)


 The muscle fibers are parallel to the line of pull.
 The fibers are long but their number is relatively few.

Functions
 Range of movement is more in this type of muscle due to increased
length of the fibers.
 Force of contraction is less because of less numbers of fibers.

Types
Parallel muscle are divided into following subtypes:
Quadrilateral muscle—quadratus lumborum, thyrohyoid
112 Textbook of General Anatomy

Fig. 6.11:  Fascicular architecture of muscle (Parallel muscle)

 Strap muscle—sartorius
 Straplike with tendinous intersections—rectus abdominis
 Fusiform muscle—biceps brachii.

Pennate Muscles (Fig. 6.12)


 The fleshy fibers are oblique to the line of pull.
 They are attached obliquely to the tendon of insertion.
 The fibers are short and number of muscle fibers is more.
 Thus force of contraction is increased.
 The range of movement is reduced.

Fig. 6.12:  Pennate muscle


Muscular Tissue 113

Pennate muscles present the following subtypes:

Unipennate
 All fleshy fibers slope into one side of the tendon, which is formed
along one margin of the muscle
 This gives the appearance of half a feather
 Examples:
 Flexor pollicis longus
 Extensor digitorum longus
 Peroneus tertius.

Bipennate
 The tendon is formed in central axis of the muscle
 Muscle fibers slope on the two sides of the central tendon.
 This gives the appearance of whole feather
 Examples:
 Tibialis posterior
 Rectus femoris.

Multipennate
 There are series of tendinous bands within a muscle with tendinous
intersections.
 Muscular fasciculi are arranged between these tendinous intersec-
tions.
 Example: Acromial fibers of deltoid

Circumpennate
 Muscle is cylindrical with central tendon within it.
 Oblique muscle fibers converge into the central tendon from all
sides.
Range of movement is diminished due to:
 Shortness of muscle fibers
 Oblique direction of pull
 Total force of contraction is increased due to greater number of
muscle fibers.
 Example: Tibialis anterior.
114 Textbook of General Anatomy

Spiral Muscle (Fig. 6.13)


 Muscle is twisted in the arrangement close to its insertion.
 Example: Supinator muscle—the spiral course imparts rotational
movement to the radius.

Cruciate Muscle
 Muscle fibers are arranged in superficial and deep planes
 Examples:
 Masseter
 Sternocleidomastoid muscle.

MUSCLE–II

MECHANISM OF LUBRICATION
Bursa
 A bursa is a closed sac filled with lubricating synovial fluid.

Fig. 6.13:  Spiral muscle


Muscular Tissue 115

 It reduces friction and allows free movement between two mobile


but tightly apposed surfaces.

Types of Bursae
 Subtendinous bursa is seen
It is seen wherever tendons rub against the resistant structure.

It intervenes between the tendon and bone.

Tendon and ligament and between two adjacent tendons.

 Subcutaneous bursa
 It is present over bony and ligamentous points subjected to
pressure and friction.
 It appears between the skin and bony prominence, e.g. infra-
patellar bursa.
 Articular bursa—is seen in relation with joint cavity
 Submuscular bursa—lies deep to the muscle
 Subfascial bursa—lies deep to the fascia
 Communicating bursa is the bursa communicating with joint
cavity, e.g. subscapular bursa.

Tendon Synovial Sheath (Fig. 6.14)


 It is tubular bursa that envelops the tendon.
 It is in the form of two tubes one within the outer that are continuous
with each other at the ends.
 The inner visceral tube adhere closely to the tendon.
 It is separated from outer or perietal tube by potential synovial
cavity.
 A synovial fold is present between two layers known as meso-
tendon which transmits vessels to the tendon.
 Synovial sheath is required where a tendon is subjected to friction
or pressure
 This condition occurs at the shoulder, hand and foot.

Fig. 6.14:  Tendon synovial sheath


116 Textbook of General Anatomy

NOMENCLATURE OF THE MUSCLES


Names given to the individual muscle are usually based on their shape,
size and number of bellies or heads, position, depth, attachments or
action.

According to the Shape


1. Deltoid—triangular
2. Quadratus—square
3. Rhomboid—diamond-shaped
4. Lumbrical—worm-like

Size
1. Major, minor, longus-long—pectoralis major and pectoralis minor,
flexor pollicis longus
2. Brevis-short—extensor pollicis brevis.
3. Longissimus-longest—longissimus cervicis

Number of Heads or Bellies


1. Biceps—two heads (Biceps brachii)
2. Triceps—three heads (Triceps brachii)
3. Quadriceps—four heads (Quadriceps femoris)
4. Digastric—two bellies (Anteror and posterior)

Position
1. Supraspinatus—above spine of scapula
2. Infraspinatus—below the spine of scapula
3. Abdominis—of the abdomen
 External oblique abdominis
4. Oris—of the mouth
 Orbicularis oris.

Depth
1. Superficialis-superficial—flexor digitorum superficialis
2. Profundus-deep—flexor digitorum profundus
Muscular Tissue 117

3. Externus-external—external oblique abdominis


4. Internus-internal—internal oblique abdominis

Attachments
1. Sternocleidomastoid—from the sternum and clavicle to the mastoid
process
2. Coracobrachialis—from coracoid process to the arm.

Action
1. Extensor, flexor—flexor pollicis longus
2. Adductor, abductor—abductor pollicis longus
3. Levator, depressor—levator labii superioris
4. Supinator, pronator—supinator muscle, pronator teres
5. Constrictor, dilator—constrictor pupillae.

BLOOD SUPPLY OF THE SKELETAL MUSCLE


 Blood supply is derived from muscular branches of the neighboring
arteries
 The arteries, veins and the motor nerves pierce the muscle at the
particular point called as the neurovascular hilum.
 These arteries break out into capillaries bed, which runs along
the muscle fiber in connective tissue (Perimycium, epimycium,
endomycium).
 These vessels anastamose in the muscle to form a rectangular
network of small and large interconnecting branches.
 Thus every muscle cell gets adequate blood supply and nutrition.
 Some of the blood vessels enters the muscle independent of the
motor nerves and these are called as accessory blood vessels.
 Veins, that drain the muscle usually accompany the artery.

LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE
 Lymphatic drainage of muscle commences as capillaries in
epimycium and perimycium, but not endomyseal sheaths.
 These converge to form larger lymphatic vessels which accompany
the veins to drain into the regional lymph nodes.
118 Textbook of General Anatomy

DEVELOPMENT OF SKELETAL MUSCLE (Fig. 6.15)


 By the end of the fifth week of intrauterine life, prospective muscle
cells are collected into two parts.
 A small dorsal portion the epimere formed from the dorsomedial
cells of the somites and larger ventral part the hypomere formed
by migration of dorsolateral cells of the somites.
 Nerve innervating the segmental muscles are also divided into a
dorsal primary ramus for epimere and ventral primary ramus
for the hypomere.
 These nerves will remain with their original muscle segment
throughout its migration.
 Myoblasts from epimeres form the extensor muscle of the vertebral
column and of hypomeres give rise to the muscles of the limbs
and body wall.

NERVE SUPPLY OF THE SKELETAL MUSCLE (Fig. 6.16)


Motor Supply or Efferent Supply
 Alpha efferent fibers (thickly myelinated)—supply the extrafusal
fibers which are responsible for the movements by contraction.
 Gamma efferent (thinly myelinated)—supply intrafusal fibers of
muscle spindle for the maintenance of muscle tone.

Fig. 6.15:  Development of skeletal muscle


Muscular Tissue 119

Fig. 6.16:  Nerve supply of skeletal muscle

 Unmyelinated sympathetic fibers—provide vasomotor supply to


the blood vessels.

Sensory or Afferent Nerve Supply


 Free nerve endings—within the muscle carry painful sensation.
 Annulospiral and flower spray endings of the muscle spindle are
the stretch receptors and regulate the muscle tone.
Motor point: It is the point of entry of the nerve trunk, which usually
enters the deep surface of muscle.
Motor unit:
 The number of muscle fibers in a voluntary muscle supplied by
a single nerve fiber arising from single motor neuron is called as
motor unit.
 The motor unit is large or small.
Large motor unit: A single motor neuron supplies about 100–200
muscle fibers, e.g. bulky muscle performing gross movements.
Small motor unit: A single motor neuron supplies only 5–10 muscle
fibers, e.g. small muscle performing delicate and precise movements.
120 Textbook of General Anatomy

 Muscles of thumb
 Muscles of eyeball.

Neuromuscular Junction (Fig. 6.17)


 Motor end plate (En plaque terminals)—found in fast muscles
(phasic contraction).
 Tail endings (En grappe terminals)—slow muscle (tonic contrac-
tions).

Motor End Plate


1. The junction between an axon terminal and muscle fiber is called
as motor end plate
2. The expanded axon terminal (presynaptic terminal) is not covered
by Schwann sheath and contains within it numerous small spherical
sacs (synaptic vesicles) and mitochondria.
 Synaptic vesicles—contain a neurotransmitter called acetyl-
choline
 The small gap between the plasma membrane of axon
(presynaptic membrane) and plasma membrane of muscle fiber
(postsynaptic membrane) is called synaptic cleft.
 The postsynaptic membrane below the presynaptic membrane is
thrown into numerous folds to increase the surface area.
 The sarcoplasm deep to it contains numerous nuclei and
mitochondria.

Fig. 6.17:  Neuromuscular junction (Motor end plate)


Muscular Tissue 121

 The impulse reaching the axon terminal causes release of


acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft, which binds with receptors
of the postsynaptic membrane and produces an action potential
in postsynaptic membrane (sarcolemma) to make the muscle
contract.

Neuromuscular Spindle (Fig. 6.18)


 These are spindle shaped encapsulated specialized sensory receptor
organs distributed longitudinally between the fasciculi of the
extrafusal fibers of voluntary muscle.
 They are concerned with the maintenance of muscle tone.
 They act as stretch receptors.
 Each muscle spindle is about 2–4 mm long and consists of fibrous
capsule, which contains about 2–14 intrafusal muscle fibers.
Intrafusal muscle fibers: is of two types:
1. Nuclear bag fibers
2. Nuclear chain fibers.
These two receptors are stimulated when intrafusal fibers are
passively stretched, during relaxation of extrafusal fibers of entire
muscle. And also when polar regions of intrafusal fibers contract
actively. Thus when extrafusal fibers relax the intrafusal fibers
contract.

Fig. 6.18:  Neuromuscular spindle


122 Textbook of General Anatomy

Nuclear Bag Fibers


 They are long and large
 They present expansion in the equatorial regions called as nuclear
bags.
 These bags contain collections of numerous nuclei.
 The peripheral ends of these fibers extend beyond the capsule of
the spindle and are attached to perimycium of the extrafusal fibers.

Nuclear Chain Fibers


 Short and narrow
 Confined within the spindle capsule
 Equatorial regions contain a chain of nuclei in single row
 Polar ends of these fibers are attached to the capsule or to the sheath
of nuclear bag fibers.

Sensory and Motor Nerves Innervate Intrafusal Fibers


 Sensory nerve terminals are of two types:
Annulospiral (primary nerve endings)

Flower spray (secondary nerve endings) both varieties are stretch

receptors.
Annulospiral endings: Surround the equatorial regions of both nuclear
bag and nuclear chain fibers.
Flower spray endings: Enwrap the nuclear chain fibers only. They
are distributed on one or bothsides beyond the equatorial regions.

Motor Nerve Terminals


 They are also called as fusimotor fibers.
 They supply the polar regions of intrafusal muscles.
 The fusimotor fibers when stimulated produce contraction of the
polar regions and eventually the stretch receptors.

MUSCLE TONE
It means a partial state of contraction of a muscle to maintain a constant
muscle length. Therefore, a muscle is not completely relaxed even
in the resting condition.
Muscular Tissue 123

Regulation of Muscle Tone


When the extrafusal fibers of the entire muscle are relaxed, the muscle
spindles are stretched. The afferent impulses thus produced reach
the spinal cord by way of pseudo-unipolar cells to the dorsal root
ganglion and establish mono-synaptic relay with alpha neurons and
gama neurons of the anterior horn cells. Alpha neurons in their turn
fire upon the extrafusal fibers and maintain constant muscle length.

ACTIONS OF MUSCLE
To produce a movement following group of muscles are involved.
1. Prime movers
2. Antagonists
3. Fixation muscle
4. Synergists

Prime Movers
A muscle or group of muscles that directly bring about a desired
movement, e.g. biceps brachii.

Antagonists
 These muscles appose the desired movement.
 They help prime movers by active relaxation to perform smooth act.
 This is due to ‘law of reciprocal innervations, e.g. triceps brachii.

Fixation Muscle
These are group of muscles, which stabilize the proximal joints of a
limb. Thus allow movements at the distal joints by the prime movers,
e.g. biceps brachii.

Synergists Muscle
When a combined action of group of muscles produce a particulate
movement. For example, flexor carpi ulnaris and flexor carpi radialis
by their combined action produce the flexion of wrist joint, but acting
individually the former is adductor and the latter is abductor of the
wrist.
124 Textbook of General Anatomy

APPLIED ANATOMY
Paralysis
 Loss of motor power (power of movement) is called paralysis. This
is due to inability of the muscle to contract caused either by damage
to the motor neural pathway (upper or lower motor neuron), or by
the inherent disease of muscle (myopathy).
 Damage to the upper motor neuron causes spastic paralysis with
exaggerated tendon reflex jerks.
 Damage to the lower motor neuron causes flaccid paralysis with
loss of tendon jerks.

Muscular Spasm
These are quite painful. Localized muscle spasm is commonly caused
by a muscle pull. In order to relieve its pain the muscle should be
relaxed by appropriate treatment. Generalized muscle spasm occurs
in tetanus and epilepsy.

Disuse Atrophy and Hypertrophy


The muscles which are not used for long time become thin and weak.
This is called as disuse atrophy. Conversely, adequate or excessive use
of particular muscle causes better development, or even hypertrophy.

Myasthenia Gravis
Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disorder characterized by
weakness and fatigue of skeletal muscle. The underlying defect is the
decrease in the number of available acetylcholine receptors at neuro-
muscular junction due to an antibody mediated autoimmune attack.
As a result muscles exhibit a degree of flaccid paralysis.

In Organophosphorus Poisoning
Due to ingestion of some insecticides containing organophosphates.
These organophosphates bind to and inhibit the action of acetylcholine.
This result in accumulation of acetylcholine leading to hyperexcitation
of the muscle. As a result skeletal muscles responsible for respiration
contract continuously but cannot relax (spastic paralysis) which is
Muscular Tissue 125

followed by fatigue. Consequently death occurs due to spastic paralysis


of muscles of respiration.

Review QUESTIONS
I. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. The characteristic features of smooth muscle fiber are:
a. Prominent striations b. Peripheral nucleus
c. Central nucleus d. Multineucleated
2. Slow twitch fibers are:
a. Rich in myohemoglobin b. Poor in mitochondria
c. Rich in glycogen d. Contract rapidly
3. One of the following is an example of bipennate muscle:
a. Sartorius b. Rectus femoris
c. Flexer pollicis longus d. Deltoid
4. The branching network of muscle fibers is seen in:
a. Smooth muscle b. Skeletal muscle
c. Cardiac muscle d. Myoepithelial cells
5. Tibialis anterior is following type of muscle:
a. Unipennate b. Bipennate
c. Multipennate d. Circumpennate
6. Myoepithelial cell is:
a. Ectodermal in origin
b. Mesodermal in origin
c. Endodermal in origin
d. Party from ectoderm and party from mesoderm in origin

Answers
1. c  2. a  3. b  4. c  5. d  6. a
II. D
 escribe the fascicular architecture of muscle and also describe
the nerve supply of muscle.
III. Write short notes on:
1. Skeletal muscle
2. Motor end plate
3. Neuromuscular spindle
4. Muscle tone
5. Cardiac muscle.
7 Nervous Tissue

NERVOUS TISSUE–I

INTRODUCTION
 Nervous system is the chief controlling and coordinating system
of the body.
 It controls and regulates all activities of the body both voluntary on
and involuntary and also adjusts the individual to the surroundings.
 This is based on special properties of sensitivity, conductivity and
responsiveness of the nervous system.

PARTS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM


The nervous system is broadly divided into:
 Central nervous system—which consists of brain and spinal cord
 Peripheral nervous system—composed of 12 pairs of cranial nerves
and 31 pairs of spinal nerves.
The central and peripheral system each have:
 Somatic component
 Autonomic component
Somatic components: It is concerned with innervations of skeletal
muscle (along efferent pathways) and the transmission of sensory
information (along afferent pathways).
Autonomic components: It is concerned with the control of cardiac
muscle, smooth muscle, and glands (involving afferent and efferent
pathways).
Nervous Tissue 127

Structure of the nervous tissue:


 Nervous tissue consists of:
– Neurons or nerve cells
– Supporting tissue.

Neurons: Peculiarities of Neurons


 The neurons do not proliferate by mitosis.
 Their number is constant since birth.
 In intrauterine life nerve cells proliferate during histogenesis from
the neuroblasts.
 There are around 10,000 million of neurons in the cerebral cortex
of the human brain.
 Indeed if the nerve cells increase in number in postnatal life we
would have fleeting memories.

Supporting Tissue
 It is called neuroglia in the central nervous system.
 In the peripheral nervous system, it is formed by Schwann cells and
capsular cells. These cells undergo mitotic divisions.
 Most of the brain tumors are neuroglial, meningeal or vascular.

Neuron (Fig. 7.1)


 The structural and functional unit of nervous system is the nerve
cell or neuron.
 Thus neuron is the name given to the nerve cell and its processes.
 They are excitable cells that are specialized for the reception of the
stimuli and conduction of the nerve impulse.
 Each neuron possesses a cell body or Perikaryon from whose
surface projects one or more processes called neurites.
 Those neurites responsible for receiving information and conducting
it towards the cell body are called dendrites.
 A single long neurite that conduct the impulses away from the cell
body is called axon. The dendrites and axon are called as nerve
fibers. Neurons are found in brain, spinal cord and ganglia.
128 Textbook of General Anatomy

Fig. 7.1:  Neuron

Structure of the Neuron (Fig. 7.2)


Each neuron consists of a cell body and neurites (processes):
 A nerve cell body consists of a mass of cytoplasm in which a nucleus
is embedded.
 It is bounded externally by a cell membrane.
 The cell body of small granular cells of cerebellar cortex measures
5 μm in diameter.
 And of large anterior horn cell measures 135 μm in diameter.

Fig. 7.2:  Structure of neuron


Nervous Tissue 129

Nucleus
 It is centrally located and is large, rounded, pale and fine chromatin
granules are widely dispersed.
 There is single prominent nucleolus, which is concerned with the
synthesis of ribonucleic acid (RNA).
Cytoplasm is rich in granular and agranular endoplasmic reticulum
and contains the following cell organelles:
1. Nissl substance
2. Golgi apparatus
3. Mitochondria
4. Microfilaments
5. Microtubules
6. Lysosomes
7. Centrioles
8. Lipofuscin, melanin, glycogen and lipids.
 Nissl substance consists of granules that are distributed
throughout the cytoplasm of the cell body except for the region
close to the axon called as Axon Hillock.
 The granular material also extends into the proximal parts of
the dendrites.
 The granular material not present in the axon.
 Nissl substance synthesize proteins, which flow along the
dendrites and axon, and replace the proteins that are broken
down during cellular activity.

Cytoplasm
It is interesting to note that the volume of cytoplasm within the nerve
cell body is often far less than the total volume of cytoplasm in the
neurites.

CLASSIFICATiON OF NEURONS
Neurons are classified as:
According to the polarity
According to the functions
According to relative length of axons and dendrites.
130 Textbook of General Anatomy

According to Polarity (Figs 7.3A to C)


 Unipolar
 Pseudounipolar
 Bipolar
 Multipolar.

Unipolar Neurons
 This neuron develops as unipolar cell and sends out single process.
 True unipolar cells are found in lower vertebrates.
 Neurons in mesencephalic nucleus of trigeminal nerve is
considered as unipolar neuron.

Pseudounipolar Neurons
 The cell body of this neuron has a single neurite that divides a short
distance from the cell body into two branches.
 One branch enters the central nervous system.
 Other proceeds to the same peripheral structure.

Figs 7.3A to C:  Classification of neurons (According to polarity).


(A) Unipolar neuron; (B) Bipolar neuron; (C) Multipolar neuron
Nervous Tissue 131

 The fine terminal branches at the peripheral end of the axon at the
receptor site are often called as dendrites.
For example, Neurons of the dorsal root ganglion of all spinal
nerves.

Bipolar Neurons
 These are spindle shaped cells.
 Dendrite extends from the periphery to the cell body—Axon passes
from the cell body into the nervous system.
Examples:
 Olfactory cells of nasal mucous membrane
 Bipolar cells of retina
 Ganglion cells of auditory nerve.

Multipolar Neurons
 Have number of neurites arising from the cell body—The long
process is the axon.
 The remaining neurites are the dendrites, e.g. most neurons of brain
and spinal cord.

According to Function
Neurons may be classified as:
Sensory
Internuncial
Motor

Sensory or Receptor Neurons


 These are bipolar or pseudounipolar neurons
 The bodies of all sensory neurons lie outside CNS, except the
mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal nerve.

Internuncial or Connector Neurons


 These type of neurons connect sensory with motor nerve cells.
 They are multipolar in character.
 They are located in central nervous system.
For example, majority of ascending and descending tracts are axon
of connecting neurons.
132 Textbook of General Anatomy

Motor or Efferent Neurons


 They are multipolar in character.
 They are located in central nervous system.
 xcept postganglionic neurons of ANS (Autonomic nervous
E
system).
Motor neurons are of two types:
 Upper motor neuron—confined within the cortex of brain
 Lower motor neuron—confined in anterior gray column of
spinal cord and brainstem.

In Autonomic Nerves
They are arranged in two sets:
 Preganglionic neurons lie within the central nervous system
 As craniosacral outflow for parasympathetic nerves
 As thoracolumber outflow for sympathetic nerves
 Postganglionic neurons
 are situated outside the central nervous system.

According to Relative Length of Axons and Dendrites


(Figs 7.4A to C)
 Golgi type-I neuron
 Golgi type-II neuron

Golgi Type-I Neuron


 Have a long axon that may be one meter long or more
 Dendrites are short and numerous, e.g. pyramidal cells of cerebral
cortex
 Purkinje cells of cerebellar cortex.

Golgi Type-II Neurons


 Have a short axon
 Dendrites short and numerous
 The neurons have star shaped appearance, e.g. neurons in cerebellar
cortex.
Nervous Tissue 133

Figs 7.4A to C:  Classification of neurons (according to relative length


of axons and dendrites). (A) Pyramidal cell; (B) Purkinje cell;
(C) Granule cell

SYNAPSE (Fig. 7.5)


 Synapses are specialized junctions between two or more adjacent
neurons.
 The axon of one neuron divides into number of terminal boutons
or end bulbs which come in contact with the dendrite or the cell
body of another neuron.
 Two neurons participate in the formation of a synapse.
 The essential components of synapse are:
 Presynaptic membrane
 Synaptic cleft
 Postsynaptic membrane
Presynaptic membrane is formed by the knob like end of an axon.
Synaptic cleft is the space separating the axon terminal and the
cell with which it synapses.
Postsynaptic membrane—The membrane opposed to the presyn-
aptic terminal.
134 Textbook of General Anatomy

Fig. 7.5:  Structure of synapse

Mechanism of Synaptic Transmission


 A synaptic cleft is about 200–300°A wide intervenes between
pre- and postsynaptic membrane. On both sides of the cleft there is
dense zone of cytoplasm and both pre- and postsynaptic membrane
are thickened.
 The end bulb of presynaptic neuron contains numerous
mitochondria and synaptic vesicles. These synaptic vesicles contain
catecholamine (epinephrine, dopamine).
 During transmission of nerve impulse, the synaptic vesicle move
towards the presynaptic membrane and discharge the stored
chemical substances into the synaptic cleft by a process of
exocytosis.
 The neurotransmitter diffuses across the synaptic cleft to bind
with the receptors in the postsynaptic membrane and thus the
transmission of nerve impulses occurs.

Classification of Synapses (Figs 7.6A to C)


They are classified into three basic types:
 Axoaxonic
 Axosomatic
 Axodendritic
Nervous Tissue 135

Figs 7.6A to C:  Classification of synapses. (A) Axoaxonic;


(B) Axosomatic; (C) Axodendritic
Axoaxonic Synapses
These are least common
In this type, an axon of presynaptic neuron makes synapse with the
axons of postsynaptic neuron.

Axosomatic Synapses
These are less common
These involve contact between the axon terminals and the soma or
cell body of postsynaptic neuron.

Axodendritic Synapses
These are most common
In this, the presynaptic axon makes contact with the postsynaptic
stem dendrites or dendritic spines.

NEUROGLIA
 Neuroglia are the supporting cells of the central nervous system.
 The glial cells unlike the nerve cells are nonexcitable and undergo
mitotic division.
136 Textbook of General Anatomy

 Brain tumors are mostly neuroglial, meningeal or vascular in


origin.
 The number of neuroglia is 10 times more than that of nerve cells.

Classification of Neuroglia (Figs 7.7A to D)


They are classified into:
 Macroglia cells
 Microglia cells

Macroglia
Macroglia cells develop from neuroectoderm and include:
Astrocytes
Oligodendrocytes
Ependymal cells
 Macroglia cells develop from neuroectoderm
 Microglia cells develop from mesoderm.

Astrocytes
 Have small cell bodies with branching processes that extend in all
directions.

Figs 7.7A to D:  Classification of neuroglia. (A) Protoplasmic astrocyte;


(B) Fibrous astrocyte; (C) Oligodendrocyte; (D) Microglial cell
Nervous Tissue 137

 There are two types of astrocytes:


Fibrous
Protoplasmic.
Fibrous Astrocytes
 Are found mainly in the white matter
 Each process is long slender and smooth
 Cell bodies and processes contains many filaments, which course
through cytoplasm.
Protoplasmic Astrocytes
 Are found mainly in the gray matter, where their processes ramify
among the nerve cell bodies.
 The processes are shorter, thicker and more branched.
 The cytoplasm of these cells contain fewer filaments.

Functions of Astrocytes
 Astrocytes with their branching processes form a supporting
framework for the nerve cells and the nerve fibers:
 They serve as phagocytes by taking up degenerating synaptic
action terminals.
 Following the death of neuron due to disease, they proliferate and
fill the spaces previously occupied by neurons a process called as
Regeneration Gliosis.
Oligodendrocytes
 They have smaller cell bodies and few dendritic processes.
 The filaments are absent in the cytoplasm.
 They are found in rows, along nerve fibers or surrounding nerve
cell bodies.
 Responsible for the formation of the myelin sheath of nerve fibers
in central nervous system.
 Oligodendrocytes surround nerve cell bodies (satellite
oligodendrocytes) and form capsular cells of peripheral sensory
ganglion.
Ependymal Cells
 These cells line the cavities of the brain and spinal cord.
 They are cuboidal or columnar in shape with cilia and microvilli.
 There main function is circulation of cerebrospinal fluid within
ventricular system.
138 Textbook of General Anatomy

Microglia Cells
 Microglia cells develop from Mesoderm.
 These are the smallest cells scattered throughout the central nervous
system.
 Their function is phagocytosis of damaged nervous tissue.

NERVOUS TISSUE–II

REFLEX ARC (Fig. 7.8)


 Reflex arc is the basic functional unit of the nervous system.
 It is defined as a response to stimulus in a muscle or a gland.
 Reflex arc involves two or more neurons and consists of at least
five fundamental parts:
 A receptor—which responds to a stimulus of some kind, e.g.
skin.
 A sensory neuron or afferent neuron—which occupies the
dorsal root ganglion of spinal nerve.
 An association neuron in the spinal cord.
 A motor neuron—which occupies anterior gray column of
the spinal cord or corresponding neuron of the brainstem and
transmits the impulse to the effector organ

Fig. 7.8:  Reflex arc


Nervous Tissue 139

 An effector organ—such as muscle or gland that carries out


the actual response.
 When finger is touched with the pin. The sensory receptors in skin
respond to stimuli and produce an action potential in the sensory
neuron.
 These impulses are transferred by sensory neuron to the motor
neuron via an association neuron in the spinal cord.
 The motor neuron carry impulses from spinal cord to the muscles
(effector organ), which responds to stimulus and moves the finger
away.
 Thus an involuntary motor response of the body is called as Reflex
Action.
 For example, stretch reflex (tendon jerks), (monosynaptic reflex)
withdrawal reflex (response to painful stimulus) is a polysynaptic
reflex.

Nerve Fibers and Formation of Myelin Sheath


 A nerve fiber is a name given to an axon of nerve cell.
 Bundles of nerve fibers in the central nervous system are called
as tracts.
 Bundles of nerve fibers in the peripheral nervous system are called
as Peripheral nerves.
 There are two types of nerve fibers in both central and peripheral
nervous system:
 Myelinated nerve fibers
 Non-myelinated nerve fibers.

Myelinated Nerve Fibers


 A myelinated nerve fiber is surrounded by myelin sheath.
 In the central nervous system, the myelin sheath is formed by
Oligodendrocytes.
 In peripheral nervous system, the myelin sheath is formed by
Schwann cell.
 The myelin sheath is a segmented discontinuous layer interrupted
at regular intervals by the Nodes of Ranvier.
 Each segment of the myelin sheath measures approximately
0.5–1 μm in length.
140 Textbook of General Anatomy

 In CNS, each oligodendrocyte may form myelin sheath for 60 nerve


fibers (axons)
 In PNS, there is only one Schwann cell for each segment of one
nerve fiber.

Non-myelinated Nerve Fibers


 These fibers are gray in color.
 They are present in gray matter of brain and spinal cord.
 All postganglionic fibers of autonomic nervous system are non-
myelinated.
 Somatic fibers of less than 1 μm in diameter are non-myelinated.

Formation of Myelin Sheath (Fig. 7.9)


 Myelin sheath is formed when an axon comes to be associated with
certain neuroglial cells that provide a sheath for it.
 An axon lying near the Schwann cell invaginates into the cytoplasm
of the Schwann cell.
 In this process the axon comes to be suspended by a fold of the cell
membrane of the Schwann cell this fold is called as Mesoaxon.
 The mesoaxon becomes greatly elongated and comes to be spirally
wound around the axon, which is thus surrounded by several layers
of the cell membrane.
 Lipids are deposited between adjacent layers of the cell membrane.

Fig. 7.9:  Formation of myelin sheath


Nervous Tissue 141

 These layers of mesoaxon along with the lipids form the Myelin
sheath.
 Outside the myelin sheath, a thin layer of Schwann cell cytoplasm
persists to form an additional sheath which is called Neurolemma
also known as Schwann cell sheath.
 The presence of myelin sheath increases the velocity of conduction
(for a nerve fiber of same diameter).
 It also reduces the energy expended in the process of conduction.
 An axon is related to a large number of Schwann cells over its
length.
 Each Schwann cell provides the myelin sheath for a short segment
of axon.
 At the junction of any such two segments there is short gap in the
myelin sheath.
 These gaps are called as Nodes of Ranvier (Fig. 7.10A).
 The non-myelinated axons invaginate into the cytoplasm of
Schwann cells but the mesoaxons does not spiral around all of them.
 Several such axons may invaginate into the cytoplasm of a single
Schwann cell (Fig. 7.10B).

Figs 7.10A and B:  Non-myelinated axons. (A) Nodes of ranvier;


(B) Schwann cell
142 Textbook of General Anatomy

PERIPHERAL NERVES (Fig. 7.11)


 The peripheral nerves are the cranial and spinal nerves.
 Each peripheral nerve consists of parallel bundles of nerve fibers,
which may be efferent or afferent axons, and may be myelinated or
unmyelinated, and surrounded by connective tissue sheath.
 The nerve trunk is surrounded by dense connective tissue sheath
called as Epineurium.
 Within the sheath are the bundles of nerve fibers each of which is
surrounded by a connective tissue sheath called as Perineurium.
 Individual nerve fiber is surrounded by delicate connective tissue
sheath called as Endoneurium.
Peripheral nerve fibers are classified into three groups.
1. Group A fibers: They are 1–20 μm in diameter.
Conduction velocity is 5–120 meters per second, e.g. myelinated
somatic efferent and afferent fibers.
2. Group B fibers: They are 1–3 μm in diameter
Conduction velocity is 3–15 meters per second, e.g. myelinated
efferent preganglionic autonomic fibers.

Fig. 7.11:  Peripheral nerve (transverse section)


Nervous Tissue 143

3. Group C fibers: They are 0.5–2 μm in diameter.


Conduction velocity is 0.5–2 meters per second, e.g. non-myelinated
afferent or efferent postganglionic fibers.

INJURIES TO NEURONS AND PERIPHERAL NERVES AND


THEIR DEGENERATION AND REGENERATION
Injury to Neuron
 Severe damage of nerve cell body may occur due to trauma
interference with blood supply or due to disease.
 This may result in degeneration of the entire nucleus including its
dendrites and synaptic endings.
 The neuronal debris and fragments of myelin are engulfed and
phagocytosed by microglia cells.
 Neighboring astrocytes proliferate and replace neuron by scar
tissue.

Injury to Peripheral Nerves


 Peripheral nerves, if injured may regenerate with restoration of
functions due to presence of neurolemma sheath and endoneural
tubes.

Effect of Nerve Injuries


1. Changes in the cell body
2. Changes in nerve fiber.

Changes in the Cell Body (Retrograde Degeneration)


 The cell body undergoes chromatolysis within 48 hours of injury.
 Nissl bodies disintegrate and disappear.
 Cell becomes swollen, nucleus becomes eccentric.
 Usually chromatolysis is reversible process due to which Nissl
bodies reappear and proteins are synthesized.
 This helps in re-growth of axon in proximal segment.
144 Textbook of General Anatomy

Changes in Nerve Fiber


Stages of degeneration (Wallerian degeneration)
 Distal to the site of injury (Antegrade
degeneration) degeneration extends
from the site of injury to the
The Leprosy bacilli attack
termination of axon. the nerves by entering the
 Myelin sheaths disintegrate into skin and travelling proximally
oily droplets and are removed by within the endoneurium
Schwann cells. damaging the Schwann cells
 Schwann cells proliferate by mitosis and thereby degenerating the
and form longitudinal Bands of nerve fibers.
Bunger, which fills the endoneural
tubes.
 Macrophages from the endoneurium remove the debris of myelin
sheaths and axon by phagocytosis.

Stages of Regeneration
During regeneration
 The tip of surviving (proximal)
Sometimes penetrating
axon shows an active growth.
wound of parotid gland
 Small axonal sprouts grow into
damages the Auriculotem-
surrounding tissue.
poral and Great Auricular
 One sprout succeeds in reaching
nerves. During healing, the
the endoneural tube.
fibers of auriculotemporal
 It survives and grows rapidly.
join the great auricular nerve
 When the growing axon tip
through which fibers reach
reaches and reinnervates the
the sweat glands in the facial
peripheral end organ.
skin. Therefore, when patients
 The surrounding Schwann cells
eats, beads of perspiration
lay down myelin sheath with
appear on skin covering the
appropriate nodes of Ranvier.
Parotid. This complication is
 The regeneration of proximal
called as Frey’s syndrome.
axon takes place with the guiding
factor of neurolemmal sheaths.
 Thus a nerve regenerates because
of presence of Neurolemmal
Sheaths.
Nervous Tissue 145

AutoNOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM


The nervous system may be broadly classified into:
1. Central and peripheral
2. Somatic and autonomic nervous system.

Somatic Nervous System


 Deals with the changes in the external environment (exteroceptive
and proprioceptive) and gives the response there of by reflex
activities.
 In a typical spinal reflex arc, three neurons are involved
 A sensory neuron (dorsal root ganglion) of spinal nerve
 A connector or interneuron—in gray column of spinal cord
 Effector or motor neuron—in anterior gray column of spinal
cord.

In cranial nerves
 Nuclei of these nerves are located in the brainstem.
 The axons of motor neurons go straight to the target striated muscle
and supply both extrafusal and intrafusal fibers.

Autonomic Nervous System


 Deals with any changes in internal environment, and controls
involuntary activities of the body.
 It possesses motor and sensory components.

Motor Components
Presents two sets of neurons:
1. Preganglionic
2. Postganglionic
The effector or target cells supplied by postganglionic motor
neurons are of three types:
1. Cardiac muscle
2. Smooth muscle
3. Glands
146 Textbook of General Anatomy

Sensory Components
Sensory neurons are located in the dorsal root ganglion of some spinal
nerves and sensory ganglions of some cranial nerves.
Thus, difference between somatic and autonomic nervous system
are as follows:
Serial number Somatic efferents Autonomic efferents
1 Motor fibers consists of Two successive set of
single set of neurons neurons preganglionic
postganglionic
2 Effector cell is of only Effector cell consists
one type, i.e. skeletal of three types cardiac
muscle muscle smooth muscle
glandular cells
3 Stimulation of effector Produce either excitatory
cells produce excitatory or inhibitory responce
response

Subdivisions of Autonomic Nervous System


1. Sympathetic
2. Parasympathetic

Sympathetic Nervous System (Fig. 7.12)


 It arises from T1 to L2 segments of spinal cord.
 Thus called as thoracolumbar outflow.
 The preganglionic motor neurons arise from lateral horn cells of
spinal cord.
Preganglionic fibers relay in:
 Lateral ganglion
 Collateral ganglion, and
 Terminal ganglion
Lateral ganglion is represented by sympathetic chain.
Collateral ganglions are represented by:
 Coeliac
 Superior mesenteric
 Inferior mesenteric
 Aorticorenal
 Superior hypogastric ganglion.
Nervous Tissue 147

Fig. 7.12:  Sympathetic nervous system

Terminal ganglions are found only in suprarenal medulla


(represented by chromaffin cells).
The postganglionic fibers:
 Liberate noradrenaline on the surface of effector cells.
 Thus called as adrenergic system
 One preganglionic sympathetic fiber makes synaptic connections
with twenty or more postganglionic neurons.
The afferent sympathetic fibers:
 Convey visceral pain sensation and their cell bodies are located in
pseudounipolar neurons in dorsal root ganglion of T1 to L2.
 All thoracic and upper two lumber spinal nerves.

Effect of sympathetic stimulation


 Vasoconstriction of cutaneous blood vessels
 Dilatation of pupils
 Acceleration of heart rate
 Suppression of intestinal peristalsis
 Sphincters of gut are closed.

Parasympathetic Nervous System (Fig. 7.13)


 The preganglionic motor neurons are partly located in brainstem
in connection with 3rd, 7th, 9th, 10th cranial nerve nuclei.
148 Textbook of General Anatomy

Fig. 7.13:  Parasympathetic nervous system

 Lateral horn cells of 2nd to 4th sacral segments of spinal cord.


 Therefore, this is called as craniosacral outflow.
 The postganglionic neurons consists of:
 Collateral ganglia
 Terminal ganglia
 Collateral ganglia are represented by:
 Ciliary ganglion for 3rd cranial nerve
 Pterygopalatine ganglion for 7th nerve
 Submandibular ganglion for 7th cranial nerve
 Otic ganglion for 9th cranial nerve.
 Terminal ganglia are located in the walls of target organs in the
form of:
 Neurons within the lung roots
 Around SA node of the heart
 Myenteric plexus of Auerbach’s
 Submucous plexus of Meissner’s.
 Postganglionic fibers liberate acetylcholine.
 Hence called as cholinergic system.
 One preganglionic fiber connects with one or two postganglionic
neurons.
 The afferent parasympathetic fibers convey:
 General visceral sensations
 Visceral pain from pelvic organs, and
 Their cell bodies are located in superior and inferior ganglia
of glossopharyngeal nerve.
 Inferior ganglion (nodose ganglion) of vagus nerve.
 Dorsal root ganglion 2nd to 4th sacral spinal nerves.
Nervous Tissue 149

Effect of Parasympathetic Stimulation


 Localized and accurate
 Heart rate is diminished
 Blood pressure falls
 Constriction of pupils
 Peristalsis and glandular secretions increase.

Review QUESTIONS
I. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Nissl granules are absent in:
a. Dendrites b. Axon hillock
c. Cell body d. Nucleus
2. Bipolar neurons are present in:
a. Dorsal root ganglion b. Retina
c. Sympathetic ganglion d. Spinal cord
3. Golgi type II neurons are present in:
a. Cerebellar cortex b. Cerebral cortex
c. Pons d. Midbrain
4. Myelination in peripheral nerves is done by:
a. Oligodendrocytes b. Microglia cells
c. Schwann cells d. Astrocytes
5. Pyramidal cells are present in:
a. Cerebellum b. Cerebrum
c. Spinal cord d. Sympathetic ganglion

Answers
1. b  2. b  3. a  4. c  5. b
II. Write classification of neurons and describes the Autonomic
nervous system.
III. Write short notes on:
1. Synapse
2. Schwann cells
3. Myelin sheath
4. Reflex arc
5. Peripheral nerves.
8 Blood Vascular
System

Introduction
 Vascular system is a transport system of the body through which
nutrients are conveyed to places where they are utilized and the
metabolites (waste products) are conveyed to appropriate places
from where they are excreted.
 The conveying medium is a liquid tissue, the blood which flows in
tubular channels called blood vessels.
 The circulation is maintained by the central pumping organ called
the heart.
 About 5 litres of blood is contained in the vascular system.

COMPONENTS OF THE VASCULAR SYSTEM (Fig. 8.1)


It is a closed system of tubes made up of the following parts:
 Heart
 Arteries
 Veins
 Capillaries.

Heart
 It is a four chambered muscular organ which pumps blood to various
parts of the body.
 Each half of the heart has a receiving chamber called atrium and
a pumping chamber called ventricle.
Blood Vascular System 151

Fig. 8.1:  Components of vascular system

Arteries
 These are distributing channels which carry blood away from the
heart.
 They branch like trees on their way to different parts of the body.
 The large arteries are rich in elastic tissue, but as branching
progresses there is smooth muscle in their walls.
 The minute branches which are just visible to the naked eye are
called arterioles.

Veins
 These are draining channels which carry blood from different parts
of the body to the heart.
 Like rivers, the veins are formed by tributaries.
 The small veins (venules) join together to form larger veins which
in turn unite to form great veins called venae cavae.
152 Textbook of General Anatomy

Capillaries
 These are networks of microscopic vessels which connect
arterioles with the venules.
 They come in intimate contact with the tissues for a free exchange
of nutrients and metabolites across their walls between the blood
and the tissue fluid.
 Capillaries are replaced by sinusoids in certain organs like liver
and spleen.
 Functionally blood vessels can be classified into five groups:
a. Distributing vessels including arteries
b. Resistance vessels including arterioles and precapillary
sphincters.
c. Exchange vessels including capillaries, sinusoids, postcapillary
venules.
d. Reservoir vessels including large venules and veins.
e. Shunts including various types of anastamosis.

TYPES OF CIRCULATION OF BLOOD (Figs 8.2 to 8.4)


1. Systemic circulation
2. Pulmonary circulation
3. Portal circulation.

Systemic Circulation
 From the left arium the oxygenated blood reaches the left ventricle
which pumps the blood to the remotest capillaries through the aorta
and its branches.
 At the capillaries nutritive materials and oxygen pass from the
blood to the tissues.
 Through them waste products and carbon dioxide return from the
tissues to the blood.
 Finally blood is returned to the heart through the venules, veins,
superior vena cava and inferior vena cava.

Pulmonary Circulation
 The right atrium receives the venous blood from superior vena
cava, inferior vena cava and from coronary sinus and conveys it to
the right ventricle.
Blood Vascular System 153

Fig. 8.2:  Type of circulation (Systemic)

Fig. 8.3:  Type of circulation (Pulmonary and portal)


154 Textbook of General Anatomy

 In turn, the right ventricle pumps the blood to the capillary plexus
of the lungs via the pulmonary trunk.
 Here in the carbon dioxide is exchanged for oxygen.
 The oxygenated blood reaches the left atrium via the pulmonary
veins.

Fig. 8.4:  Type of circulation (Systemic and pulmonary)


Blood Vascular System 155

Portal Circulation
It is a part of systemic circulation which has the following characteristics:
 Blood passes through two sets of capillaries before draining into
a systemic veins.
 Vein draining the first capillary network is known as portal vein
which branches like an artery to form a second set of capillaries
or sinusoids, e.g. hepatic portal circulation, hypophyseal portal
circulation and renal portal circulation.

CLASSIFICATION OF BLOOD VESSELS


Blood vessels are classified as under:
Arteries
Arterioles
Capillaries
Sinusoids and cavernous tissues
Venules and veins.

Arteries (Fig. 8.5)


Characteristic features of arteries:
 Arteries are thick walled being uniformly thicker than accompanying
veins except for the arteries within the cranium and vertebral canal
where they are thin.
 Their lumen is thinner than accompanying veins.
 Arteries have no valves.

Fig. 8.5:  Structure of artery and vein


156 Textbook of General Anatomy

 An artery is usually accompanied by vein and nerve and the three


together form the neurovascular bundle which is surrounded and
supported by a fibroareolar sheath.

Types of Arteries and Structure


 Large arteries of elastic type (aorta and pulmonary artery).
 Medium and small arteries of muscular type, e.g. Temporal,
occipital, radial, popliteal artery.
 Smallest arteries of muscular type (arterioles)
 The arteries measure between 50–100 microns. They divide into
terminal arterioles with 15–20 micron diameter which have one or
two layers of smooth muscle in their walls.
 Side branches from terminal arterioles are called as metarterioles
which measure about 15–20 microns at their origin and 5 microns
at their termination.
 The terminal narrow end is surrounded by a precapillary sphincter
which regulates the blood flow into the capillary bed.
 The muscular arterioles are responsible for generating peripheral
resistance and thereby for regulating the diastolic blood pressure.
Microscopically
All arteries are made up of three coats:
 Inner coat—Tunica intima
 It is formed by a layer of flattened endothelial cells which are
supported by subendothelial areolar tissue and fenestrated
internal elastic lamina.
 Middle coat—Tunica media
 It is thickest of all coats, and
 Made up of smooth muscle and elastic tissue arranged circularly.
 It is limited externally by a fenestrated external elastic lamina.
 Outer coat—Tunica adventitia
 It is thin but strongest of all coats.
 It is made up of longitudinally arranged fibers of both collagen
and elastic tissue making it fibroelastic.

Blood Supply of Arteries (Fig.8.6)


 Large arteries (of more than 1 mm in diameter) are supplied with
blood vessels.
 These nutrient vessels are called vasa-vasorum which form a dense
capillary network in the tunica adventitia.
Blood Vascular System 157

Fig. 8.6:  Blood supply of artery

 They supply adventitia and outer part of tunica media.


 The rest of the vessel wall (intima + inner part of tunica media) is
nourished directly by diffusion from the luminal blood.
 Fenestrations in the elastic laminae facilitate the diffusion.

Nerve Supply of Arteries


 The nerves supplying an artery are called nervi vasularis.
 These nerves are mostly non-myelinated sympathetic fibers which
are vasoconstrictor in function.
 A few fibers are myelinated, and are believed to be sensory to the
outer and inner coats of the arteries.

Capillaries
 Capillaries (capillus = Hair) are networks of microscopic endothelial
tubes interposed between the metarterioles and venules.
 The true capillaries (without any smooth muscle cell) begin after
a transition zone of 50–100 microns beyond the precapillary
sphincters.
 The capillaries are replaced by cavernous (dilated) space in the sex
organs, splenic pulp and placenta.

Size
 The average diameter of a capillary is 6–8 microns, just sufficient
to permit the red blood cells to pass through in ‘single file’.
 But the size varies from organ to organ.
 It is smallest in the brain and intestine, and is largest (20 microns)
in the skin and bone marrow.
158 Textbook of General Anatomy

Types of Capillaries and Structure (Figs 8.7 and 8.8)


 The capillaries are classified as continuous and fenestrated
according to the type of junctions between the endothelial cells.
 Continuous capillaries are found in the skin, connective tissue,
skeletal and smooth muscles, lung and brain. They allow passage
of small molecules across their walls (up to 10 μm size).
 Fenestrated capillaries are found in the renal glomeruli, intestinal
mucosa, endocrine glands and pancreas. They allow passage
across their walls of larger molecules (up to 20–100 mm size).
 The capillary wall is composed of:
–– A single layer of endothelial cells,
–– A basal lamina of glycoprotein which surrounds the
endothelial cells and splits at places to enclose pericapillary
cells called pericytes, and
–– A pericapillary layer of connective tissue cells and fibers.
 The capillary bed and postcapillary venules form an enormous area
for the exchange of nutrients, gases, metabolites and water, between
the blood and interstitial fluid.

Fig. 8.7:  Structure of capillary (Continuous type)

Fig. 8.8:  Structure of capillary (Fenestrated type)


Blood Vascular System 159

 Capillaries also allow migration of leukocytes out of the vessels.


Sinusoids (Fig. 8.9)
Sinusoids replace capillaries in certain organs, like liver, spleen, bone
marrow, suprarenal glands, parathyroid glands, carotid body, etc.

Characteristics
 Sinusoids are large irregular vascular spaces which are closely
surrounded by the parenchyma of the organ.
 They differ from capillaries in the following respects:
 Their lumen is wider (upto 30 microns) and irregular
 Their walls are thinner and may be incomplete. They are lined
by endothelium in which the phagocytic cells (macrophages) are
often distributed. The adventitial support is absent, and the basal
lamina is replaced by a thin layer of reticular fibers.
 They may connect arteriole with venule (spleen, bone marrow)
or venule with venule (liver).

Cavernous Tissues
 These are blood-filled spaces lined by endothelium and surrounded
by trabeculae. The latter contain smooth muscle fibers. The
arterioles and venules directly open into these spaces.
 The cavernous tissues are present in the erectile tissues of the penis
or clitoris and in the nasal mucous membrane.

Veins (Figs 8.10 and 8.11)


Characteristic Features
 Veins are thin-walled, being thinner than the arteries.
 Their lumen is larger than that of the accompanying arteries.

Fig. 8.9:  Structure of a sinusoid


160 Textbook of General Anatomy

Fig. 8.10:  Structure of vein

Fig. 8.11. Structure of valve

 Veins have valves which maintain the unidirectional flow of blood,


even against gravity. Since the venous pressure is low (7 mm Hg),
the valves are of utmost value in the venous return. However, the
valves are absent (a) in the veins of less than 2 mm in diameter;
(b) in the venae cavae; and (c) in the hepatic, renal, uterine, ovarian
(not testicular), cerebral, spinal, pulmonary, and umbilical veins.
 The muscular and elastic tissue content of the venous walls is
much less than that of the arteries. This is directly related to the
low venous pressure.
 Large veins have dead space around them for their dilatation during
increased venous return. The dead space commonly contains the
regional lymph nodes.

Structure of Veins
 Veins are made up of usual three coats which are found in the
arteries. But the coats are ill-defined, and the muscle and elastic
tissue content is poor.
Blood Vascular System 161

 A proper internal elastic lamina in the intima is absent.


 In the weak and poorly developed tunica media, amount of collagen
fibers is more than the elastic and muscle fibers.
 The adventitia is thickest and best developed; it contains the
collagen, elastic as well as muscle fibers.
 The smooth muscle is altogether absent in the:
 Veins of maternal part of placenta
 Cranial venous sinuses and pial veins
 Retinal veins
 Veins of cancellous bone, and
 Venous spaces of the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum.

Blood and Nerve Supply of Veins


 The larger veins, like the arteries, are supplied with nutrient vessels
called vasa vasorum. But in the veins, the vessels may penetrate
up to the intima, probably because of the low venous pressure and
the low oxygen tension.
 Nerves are also distributed to the veins in the same manner as to
the arteries, but are fewer in number.

Factors Helping in Venous Return


 Overflow from the capillaries, pushed from behind by the arteries
(vis-a-tergo).
 Negative intrathoracic pressure sucks the blood into the heart from
all over the body.
 Gravity helps venous return in the upper part of the body.
 Arterial pulsations press on the venae comitantes intermittently and
drive the venous blood towards the heart.
 Venous valves prevent any regurgitation (back flow) of the luminal
blood.
 Muscular contractions press on the veins and form a very effective
mechanism of venous return. This becomes still more effective
within the tight sleeve of the deep fascia, as seen in the lower
limbs. The calf muscles (soleus) for this reason are known as the
peripheral heart. Thus, the muscle pumps are important factors
in the venous return.
162 Textbook of General Anatomy

ANASTOMOSIS OF BLOOD VESSELS (Figs 8.12 to 8.14)

Definition
 A precapillary or postcapillary communication between the
neighboring vessels is called anastomosis.
 Circulation through the anastomosis is called collateral circulation.

Types
 Arterial anastomosis is the communication between the arteries
or branches of arteries.
 It may be actual or potential
–– In actual arterial anastomosis the arteries meet end to end.
For example, palmar arches, plantar arch, circle of Willis,
intestinal arcades around the stomach, labial branches of
facial arteries, and the uterine and ovarian arteries.

Fig. 8.12:  Arteriovenous anastomosis (shunt)

Fig. 8.13:  Structure of shunt


Blood Vascular System 163

Fig. 8.14:  Anastomosis of blood vessels

 In potential arterial anastomosis the communication takes place


between the terminal arterioles.
–– Such communications can dilate only gradually for collateral
circulation.
–– Therefore on sudden occlusion of a main artery, the
anastomosis may fail to compensate the loss.
–– The examples are seen in the coronary arteries around the
limb joints, the cortical branches of cerebral arteries, etc.
 Venous anastomosis is the communication between the veins or
tributaries of veins.
 For example, the dorsal venous arches of the hand and foot.
 Arteriovenous anastomosis (shunt) is the communication between
an artery and a vein. It serves the function of phasic activity of
the organ. When the organ is active these shunts are closed and the
blood circulates through the capillaries.
 However, when the organ is at rest, the blood bypasses the
capillary bed and is shunted back through the arteriovenous
anastomosis (Fig. 8.14).
 The shunt vessel may be straight or coiled, possesses a thick
muscular coat, and is under the influence of sympathetic system.
 Shunts of simple structure are found in the skin of nose, lips,
external ear, mucous membrane of nose and alimentary canal.
 Specialized arteriovenous anastomoses are found in the skin of
digital pads and nail beds.
 They form a number of small units called glomera.
164 Textbook of General Anatomy

END-ARTERIES
Definition
 Arteries which do not anastomose with their neighbours arteries
are called end-arteries. For example,
 Central artery of retina is the best example of an absolute
end-artery.
 Central branches of cerebral arteries and vasa recta of mesenteric
arteries, arteries of spleen, kidney, lungs and metaphyses of
long bones.
Importance
 Occlusion of an end-artery causes serious nutritional disturbances
resulting in death of the tissue supplied by it. For example, occlusion
of central artery of retina results in permanent blindness.

APPLIED ANATOMY OF Cardiovascular System (CVS)


 The blood pressure is the arterial pressure exerted by the blood on
the arterial walls.
 The maximum pressure during ventricular systole is called
systolic pressure; the minimum pressure during ventricular
diastole is called diastolic pressure.
 The systolic pressure is generated by the force of contraction
of the heart.
 The diastolic pressure is chiefly due to arteriolar tone (peripheral
resistance).
 The heart has to pump the blood against the diastolic pressure
which is a direct load on the heart.
 Normally, the blood pressure is roughly 120/80 mm Hg, the
systolic pressure ranging from 110–140 mm Hg, and the diastolic
pressure from 70–90 mm Hg. The difference between systolic
and diastolic pressure is called ‘pulse pressure’.
 Hemorrhage (bleeding) is the obvious result of rupture of the
blood vessels.
 Venous hemorrhage causes oozing of blood; arterial hemorrhage
causes spurting of blood.
 Vascular catastrophies are of three types:
 Thrombosis,
Blood Vascular System 165

 Embolism, and
 Hemorrhage
 All of them result in a loss of blood supply to the area of
distribution of the vessel involved, unless it is compensated by
collateral circulation.
 Arteriosclerosis occurs in old age due to which arteries become stiff.
 This phenomenon is called arteriosclerosis.
 This causes a variable reduction in the blood supply to the tissues
and a rise in systolic pressure.
 Arteritis and phlebitis: Inflammation of an artery is known as
arteritis, and inflammation of a vein as phlebitis.
 Angeion is a Greek word, meaning a vessel (blood vessel or
lymph vessel). Its word derivatives are angiology, angiography,
hemangioma, and thromboangiitis obliterans.

Review Questions
I. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Capillaries are classified as:
a. Distributing vessels b. Exchange vessels
c. Resistance vessels d. Reservoir vessels
2. In portal circulation blood passes through:
a. Two sets of capillaries b. One set of capillaries
c. Two set of sinusoids d. Three sets of capillaries
3. Side branches of terminal arterioles are called:
a. Capillaries b. Meta arterioles
c. Sinusoids d. Venules
4. Following is the example of arteriovenous shunt:
a. Glomerulus b. Dorsal venous arch of foot
c. Coronary arteries d. Central arteries

Answers
1. b  2. a  3. b  4. a
II. Describe the components of vascular system.
III. Write short notes on:
a. Anastomosis
b. Vasa vasorum
c. Types of circulation of blood.
9 The Lymphatic
System

The Lymphatic System–I


Introduction
 Lymphatic system helps in maintaining hemostatis in the body.
 Our body requires ways to combat harmful agents in our
environment.
 Despite constant exposure to variety of pathogens, which are disease
producing microbes such as bacteria and viruses most people remain
healthy.
 The body surface also endures cuts and bumps; exposure to
ultraviolet rays in sunlight, minor burns, chemical toxins.
 Resistance is the ability to ward off damage or disease through our
defenses, vulnerability or lack of resistance is termed susceptibility.
 The body system responsible for specific resistance is the lymphatic
and immune system.
 The system is closely allied with the cardiovascular system, and
 It also functions with the digestive system in the absorption of
fatty foods.

Definition
 Lymphatic system is essentially a drainage system, which is
accessory to the venous system.
 Most of the tissue fluid formed at the arterial end of capillaries is
absorbed into the blood by the venous end of the capillaries and
the postcapillary venules.
The Lymphatic System 167

 The rest of the tissue fluid (10–20%) is absorbed by the lymphatics


that begin blindly in the tissue spaces.
 Thus, lymphatic system consists of closed system of vessels, which
ramify in the tissue spaces in and around the blood capillaries
 It conveys the tissue fluid into the blood vascular system by acting
as an alternate route.
 Hence, the lymphatic system is auxiliary to the venous system.
 In their course, the lymphatics are intercepted by chains of lymph
nodes, which filter the lymph and add lymphocytes to the circulating
lymph.
 It is important to know that the larger particles (proteins and
particulate matter) can be removed from the tissue fluid only by
the lymphatics.
 Therefore, lymphatic system may be regarded as drainage of the
coarse type and venous system as drainage of fine type.
 Certain parts of lymphatic system (lymphoreticular organs) however
are chiefly involved in phagocytosis.
 Raising immune responses and contributing to cell populations of
the blood and lymph.
 The tissue fluid flowing in the lymphatic is called lymph.
 It passes through filters (lymph nodes) placed in the course of
lymphatics, and finally drains into the venous blood.

FUNCTIONS OF THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM


The lymphatic and immune system has three primary functions:
1. Draining excess interstitial fluid: Lymphatic vessels drain excess
interstitial fluid from tissue spaces and return it to the blood.
2. Transporting dietary lipids: Lymphatic vessels transport the lipids
and lipid soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) absorbed by the gastro-
intestinal tract to the blood.
3. Carrying out immune responses:
 Lymphatic tissue initiates highly specific responses directed
against particular microbes or abnormal cells.
 Lymphocytes aided by macrophages, recognize foreign cells,
microbes, toxins and cancer cells and respond to them in two
ways.
168 Textbook of General Anatomy

Fig. 9.1:  Parts of lymph node

 In cell-mediated immune responses (Fig. 9.1):


T cells destroy the intruders by causing them to rupture or by

releasing cytotoxic (cell killing) substances.
 In antibody mediated immune responses:
 B-cells differentiate into plasma cells
 That protect us against disease by producing antibody proteins
that combine with and cause destruction of specific foreign
substances.

DEVELOPMENT OF LYMPHATIC TISSUES (Fig. 9.2)


 Lymphatic tissues begin to develop by the end of the fifth week of
embryonic life.
 Lymphatic vessels develop from lymph sacs that arise from
developing veins, which are derived from mesoderm.
 First lymph sacs to appear are the paired jugular lymph sacs at
the junction of the internal jugular and subclavian veins. From this
jugular lymph sac lymphatic capillary plexus spread to the thorax
upper limbs, neck and head.
 Some of the plexus enlarge and form lymphatic vessels.
 The second lymph sac is unpaired, it is retroperitoneal lymph sac
at the root of the mesentery of the intestine.
The Lymphatic System 169

Fig. 9.2:  Development of lymphatic tissues

 Third sac is cisterna chyli develops inferior to the diaphragm


on the posterior abdominal wall, gives rise to thoracic duct and
cisterna chyli.
 Fourth lymph sac is posterior lymph sac: It produces capillary
plexuses and lymphatic vessels of the abdominal wall, pelvic
regions, and lower limbs.
 With the exception of anterior part of the sac from which the cisterna
chyli develops all lymph sacs become invaded by mesenchymal
cells and are converted into groups of lymph nodes.
 Spleen develops from mesenchymal cells between two layers of
dorsal mesentery of the stomach.
 Thymus arises as an outgrowth of third pharyngeal pouch.

Components of the Lymphatic System


Lymphatic system comprises of:
1. Lymph
2. Lymphatic vessels and lymph circulation
170 Textbook of General Anatomy

3. Lymph, trunks and ducts


4. Central lymphoid tissues
5. Peripheral lymphoid organs
6. Circulating lymphocytes.

Lymph
Lymph is a transudate from blood.
 It contains most constituents of blood plasma that filter through
blood capillary walls to form interstitial fluid.
After interstitial fluid passes into lymphatic vessels, it is called
lymph. Therefore, interstitial fluid and lymph are very similar. Major
difference between the two is location.
Interstitial fluid is found between cells whereas lymph is located
within lymphatic vessels and lymphatic tissue.

Lymphatic Vessels and Lymph Circulation (Fig. 9.3)


 The lymph capillaries begin blindly in the tissue spaces and form
intricate networks. They are closed at one end. Their caliber is
greater and less regular than that of blood capillaries.

Fig. 9.3:  Lymphatic vessels and lymph circulation


The Lymphatic System 171

 Location: They are located in the spaces between the cells just as
blood capillaries converge to form venules and veins, lymphatic
capillaries unite to form larger lymphatic vessels, which resemble
veins in structure but have thinner walls and more valves.
  At the intervals along the lymphatic vessels lymph flows through
lymph nodes, encapsulated masses of B-cells and T-cells.
 In the skin, lymphatic vessels lie in the subcutaneous tissue
generally follow veins.
 Lymphatic vessels of the viscera generally follow arteries forming
plexuses (networks) around them.
 Tissues that lack lymphatic capillaries include avascular tissues
such as:
 Cartilage
 The epidermis, and cornea of the eye
 The central nervous system, brain and spinal cord, portions of
the spleen, (splenic pulp) and bone marrow.

Lymphatic Capillaries (Fig. 9.4)


 They are slightly larger in diameter than blood capillaries.
 They have a unique structure that permits interstitial fluid to flow
into them but not come out.
 The ends of the endothelial cells that make up the wall of a
lymphatic capillary overlap.

Fig. 9.4:  Lymphatic capillaries


172 Textbook of General Anatomy

 When pressure is greater in the interstitial fluid than in lymph the


cells separate slightly like the opening of a one-way swinging door
and interstitial fluid enters the lymphatic capillary.
 When pressure is greater inside the lymphatic capillary the cells
adhere more closely and lymph cannot escape back into the
interstitial fluid.
 Attached to the lymphatic capillaries are anchoring filaments
which contain elastic fibers.
 They extend out from the lymphatic capillary attaching lymphatic
endothelial cells to surrounding tissue.
 When excess interstitial fluid accumulates and causes tissue
swelling, the anchoring filaments are pulled making the openings
between cells even larger so that more fluid can flow into the
lymphatic capillaries.
 In small intestine, specialized lymphatic capillaries called lacteals
carry dietary lipids into lymphatic vessels and ultimately into the
blood. The presence of these lipids causes the lymph draining the
small intestine to appear creamy white such lymph is referred to
as chyle.
 Elsewhere lymph is a clear, pale-yellow fluid.

Lymph Trunks and Ducts (Figs 9.5A and B)


 Lymph passes from lymphatic capillaries into lymphatic vessels and
then through regional lymph nodes, which trap the particulate matter
 The filtered lymph passes through larger lymphatics and is eventually
collected into two large trunks the thoracic duct and right lymphatic
duct, which pour their lymph into the brachiocephalic veins.
 The principal lymph trunks are the:
 Lumbar
 Intestinal
 Bronchomediastinal
 Subclavian
 Jugular trunks from these trunks lymph passes to above two
main channels.

Thoracic Duct (Left Lymphatic Duct) (Fig. 9.5B)


 Is about 38–45 cm in length and begins as a dilatation called the
cisterna chyli anterior to the second lumbar vertebra.
The Lymphatic System

A B

Figs 9.5A and B:  (A) Lymph trunks and ducts; (B) Thoracic duct
173
174 Textbook of General Anatomy

 Thoracic duct is the main duct for return of lymph to blood


 It receives lymph from the left side of the head, neck and chest
 The left upper limb and the entire body inferior to the ribs
 The thoracic duct drains into venous blood via the left subcavian
vein
 Cisterna chyli receives lymph from the right and left lumbar trunks
and from the intestinal trunks.

Lumbar Trunks
 Drain lymph from the lower limbs, the wall and viscera of the pelvis,
the kidneys, the adrenal glands, and the deep lymphatic vessels that
drain lymph from most of the abdominal wall.

Intestinal Trunks
 Drain lymph from the stomach, intestines, pancreas, spleen and
part of the liver.
 In the neck, thoracic duct receives lymph from the left Jugular, left
subclavian and left bronchomediastinal trunks.

Right Lymphatic Duct


 It is about 1.2 cm long and drains lymph from upper right side of
the body into venous blood via right subclavian vein.
 Three lymphatic trunks drain into right lymphatic duct.
 Right jugular trunk—draining lymph from right side of head
and neck.
 Right subclavian trunk—drains from right upper limb.
 Right bronchomediastinal trunk—drains right side of thorax,
right side of heart, right lung and liver.

The Lymphatic System–II

COMPONENTS OF THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM


Central Lymphoid Tissues
 Central lymphoid tissues comprise of bone marrow and thymus.
The Lymphatic System 175

 All ‘pluripotent’ lymphoid stem cells are produced by bone marrow


except during early fetal life—when these are produced by liver
and spleen.
 The stem cells undergo differentiation in the central lymphoid
tissues so that the lymphocytes become competent defensive
elements of the immune system.
 Bone marrow helps differentiation of the B-lymphocytes which
are capable of synthesizing antibodies after getting transformed
into plasma cells.
 Helps differentiation of immunologically competent but
uncommitted T-lymphocytes (10% of thymic population).
 These T-lymphocytes are long lived, join circulating pools of
lymphocytes, and populate the thymus dependent areas of lymph
nodes and other peripheral lymphoid organs.
 T-lymphocytes respond by cytotoxic cell killing (killing virus
infected cells, neoplastic cells, fungi, etc.)
 By ‘arming’ macrophages, and by triggering the large mononuclear
cells (killer cells).
 And the helper activity of B-lymphocytes.

Thymus (Figs 9.6 to 9.8)


 Thymus is an asymmetrical bilobed structure.
 It is situated in the superior and anterior mediastinum of thorax.
The two lobes of thymus are connected across the middle line by
fibroareolar tissue.
 At birth the thymus weighs about 10–15 g.
 It progressively increases in size up to age of puberty when it weighs
about 20–30 g.
 Thereafter, the thymus undergoes involution and is converted into
fibro-fatty mass.
 In mid-adult life its weight comes to about 10 g.
 Each lobe of thymus develops from endoderm of the third
pharyngeal pouch and undergoes caudal migration in the thorax.

Structure of the Thymus


 Each lobe is covered by a fibrous capsule which projects in the
substance of the organ as incomplete trabecular septa which convey
the blood vessels and divide the thymus into numerous lobules.
176 Textbook of General Anatomy

Fig. 9.6:  Thymus (Gross)

Fig. 9.7:  Structure of thymus

 Each lobule is about 1–2 mm in width.


 The lobules consist of outer cortex and inner medulla.
 Cortex contains closely packed numerous lymphocytes and
occasional macrophage cells.
The Lymphatic System 177

Fig. 9.8:  Thymic corpuscles (Hassall’s)

 In the medulla, the lymphocytes are less in number; in addition, it


contains concentric corpuscles of Hassall.
 Four special varieties of structures are encountered in the thymus
these are the reticular epithelial cells, lymphocytes, macrophages
and Hassall’s corpuscles.
 The antigen macromolecules of the circulating blood are prevented
from coming in contact with the thymic lymphocytes due to
presence of Hemothymic barrier.
 The barrier consists of the following structure from outside inwards:
 A layer of continuous endothelial cells of capillaries
 A thick basement membrane
 A tissue space
 A continuous layer of reticular epithelial cells.
 This barrier is impermeable to antigens but permeable to nutritive
substances and stem cells from the bone marrow, which are
transported to the thymus through this barrier.
 In addition, thymic lymphocytes are allowed to pass into the circulating
pool. Thus lymphocytes proliferate in antigen-free environment.

Peripheral Lymphoid Organs


 Peripheral lymphoid organs comprise lymph nodes, spleen,
epithelio-lymphoid tissues (lymphoid nodules developed in the
alimentary and respiratory tracts).
 Any part of this may become overactive on appropriate stimulation.
178 Textbook of General Anatomy

Lymphoid Nodules or Primary Lymph Follicles (Fig. 9.9)


 Each primary lymph follicle or lymphoid tissue consists of a
collection of B and T-lymphocytes, which are supported by the
reticular fibers.
 The center of the follicle is called as germinal center that is
occupied by the lymphoblasts.
 The periphery of the follicle consists of free lymphocytes and
plasma cells.
 The primary follicles are present in the loose connective tissue of the
wet epithelial membrane of the upper respiratory tract, alimentary
tract, and urinary tracts.
 They combat the entrance of antigens from the outside world.
 The mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) in relation to
gut and bronchus are known as GALT and BALT respectively.
Aggregations of lymphatic nodules are present in appendix and
oropharynx, i.e. tonsils.
 Peculiarities of the primary follicles.
 Absence of definite fibrous capsule.
 The follicles filter tissue fluid and act as second line of defense
of the body.
 Possess no afferent vessels but are provided with efferent vessels.

Fig. 9.9:  Splenic lymphatic nodule


The Lymphatic System 179

Lymph Nodes (Fig.9.10)


 The lymph nodes are small nodules of lymphoid tissue found in the
course of smaller lymphatics.
 The lymph passes through one or more lymph nodes before reaching
the larger lymph trunks.
 The nodes are oval or reniform in shape about 1–25 mm long, and
brown in color (hepatic).
 Black (pulmonary) or creamy white in color (intestinal) usually they
are in groups but sometimes there may be a solitary lymph node.
 Superficial nodes are arranged along the veins and deep nodes are
arranged along the arteries.
 About 800 lymph nodes are present in the human body.
 Each lymph node has a slight depression on one side called hilum.
 The artery enters the node and the vein with efferent lymphatic
comes out of it, at the hilum.
 The afferent lymphatics enter the node at different parts of its
periphery.

Structure of a Lymph Node (Fig. 9.11)


Structurally lymph node is made up of following parts:
Fibrous and Reticular Framework
 The lymph node is covered by a capsule made up of mainly collagen
fibers and a few elastic fibers.
 Deep to the capsule is a space called as subcapsular space, which
receives the terminations of numerous lymphatic vessels.
 A number of trabeculae extend into the gland substance from the
capsule radially into the interior of the node.
Lymphatic Channels
 The afferent lymphatics of the node open into the subcapsular
sinus, which give rise to numerous cortical sinuses running
towards the medulla.Where they unite with each other to form the
larger medullary sinuses.Which join together to form the efferent
lymphatics (one or two) draining the lymph node.
 All sinuses are lined by endothelial cells, which allow a constant
biway passage for lymphocytes, macrophages and other cells, across
the sinus walls.
180 Textbook of General Anatomy

Fig. 9.10:  Lymph node

Cortex
 It is made up of lymphatic follicles.
 It is far more densely cellular than the medulla.
 It is divided into:
 Zone I: Containing loosely packed small lymphocytes,
macrophages, plasma cells
The Lymphatic System 181

Fig. 9.11:  Structure of lymph node

Zone II: Contain more densely packed small lymphocytes, and


macrophages
 Zone III: Including germinal center, contains large lymphoblasts
and macrophages.
 The maturing lymphocytes pass from zone III to zone II to zone I
and to lymph sinus.
 According to the distribution of B and T-lymphocytes, the cortex
is divided into:
 Outer part—contains immature B-lymphocytes
 Inner part—between the germinal center and the medulla, which
contains T-lymphocytes. This part is known as paracortex or
thymus dependent zone.
–– The mature B-lymphocytes are present in medulla whether
germinal center contains T or B cells or both is not known.
Medulla
 It is the central part of the lymph node.
 It contains loosely packed lymphocytes, plasma cells and
macrophages.
182 Textbook of General Anatomy

Blood Channels
The artery enters the hilum and divides into:
Straight branches which run in the trabeculae
In the cortex arteries divide into arterioles and capillaries
Capillaries give rise to venules and veins which run back to the
hilum.

Hemolymph Nodes
 The hemolymph nodes consists of admixture of blood and lymph
which fill up the interstices of reticular fibers
 These nodes are rare in man but may be sometimes found in the
retroperitoneal lymph nodes.

Hemal Nodes (Fig. 9.12)


 These are small lymphatic bodies resembling lymph nodes in their
structure, which are found in the course of blood vessels
 The afferent and efferent lymphatics are absent
 Their sinuses are filled with blood rather than lymph
 In man, spleen is considered as a large hemal node
 Spleen filters blood by taking out worn out erythrocytes, leukocytes
and platelets and microbial antigens from the circulation
 It consists of capsule, trabeculae, reticular fibers, red pulp and
white pulp
 White pulp is made up of primary lymph follicles.
 Each follicle is traversed eccentrically by an arteriole the
T-lymphocytes lie in the periarteriolar lymph sheath and the
B-lymphocytes occupy the rest of the white pulp.

Circulating Lymphocytes
 Circulating lymphocytes contain mature progenics of B and
T-lymphocytes, which may be called upon during antigenic
emergencies.
 They are formed in lymphoid tissue such as lymph nodes and spleen
and in myeloid tissue, i.e. in red bone marrow.
The Lymphatic System 183

Fig. 9.12:  Spleen (large hemal node)

Applied Anatomy of Lymphatic System


 Lymphatics are primarily meant for coarse drainage including cell-
debris and microorganisms from the tissue spaces to the regional
lymph nodes.
 While draining from an infected area, the lymphatic and lymph
nodes carrying infected debris may become inflamed resulting in.

Lymphangitis and Lymphadenitis


 Lymphangitis is the inflammation of lymphatic vessels
 Lymphadenitis is the inflammation of lymph nodes
 These conditions occur when the lymphatic system is involved in
the spread (metastasis) of cancer cells.

Lymphedema
 Is accumulation of interstitial fluid, which occurs when a lymph
node does not drain from an area of the body, e.g. if cancerous
lymph nodes are surgically removed from the axilla (armpit)
lymphedema of the limb may occur.
 Solid cell growths may permeate lymphatic vesels and form minute
cellular emboli (plugs), which may break free and pass to regional
lymph nodes.
 In this way, lymphogenous cancer cells spread to other tissues and
organs.
184 Textbook of General Anatomy

 Thus, lymphatics provide most convenient route of spread of


cancer cells.

Elephantiasis
 This condition occurs due to filarial parasite “Wuchereria
bancrofti” which cause blocking of lymphatic vessels giving rise
to solid edema (elephantiasis) in the peripheral area of drainage.
 Elephantiasis is characterized by enormous enlargement of the
part due to thickening and reduplication of skin in lower limb and
scrotum.
 The microfilaria enter the bloodstream only during night and
therefore the blood for examination may be collected during night.

Review Questions
I. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Lymphatic vessels are absent in:
a. Liver b. Brain
c. Lungs d. Uterus
2. Development of lymphatic tissue begins in:
a. 5th month of IUL b. 7th month of IUL
c. 5th week of IUL d. 7th week of IUL
3. Following is considered as a central lymphoid tissue:
a. Spleen b. Bone marrow
c. Lymph node d. Palatine tonsil
4. Lymphedema is a condition which other due:
a. Accumulation of interstitial fluid
b. Accumulation of intercellular fluid
c. Inflammation of lymph node
d. Inflammation of lymphatics

Answers
1.  b   2.  c   3.  b   4.  a
II. Describe the components of the lymphatic system.
III. Write Short Notes
1. Lymphatic vessels
2. Development of lymphatic system
3. Applied anatomy of lymphatic system.
10 Skin and its
Appendages

Skin and its Appendages–I

INTRODUCTION
The body is composed of four basic elements:
 Epithelium, connective tissue, muscle and nerves.
 Every part of the body when examined with the naked eye or micro-
scopically, can only be made of one or more of these four elements.
 The skin or cutaneous membrane covers the external surface of
the body.
 It is the largest organ of the body in surface area and weight.

DEFINITION
 Skin is the general covering of the entire external surface of the
body, including the external auditory meatus and outer surface of
the tympanic membrane.
 It is continuous with the mucous membrane at the orifices of the
body, e.g. mucosa of alimentary canal, respiratory tract and geni-
tourinary tracts.

FUNCTIONS OF THE SKIN


 Skin forms a self-renewing and self-repairing interface between the
body and its environment.
 It also forms barrier against microbial invasion.
 It has properties which protect the body against mechanical,
chemical, osmotic, thermal and photal damage.
186 Textbook of General Anatomy

 It is capable of absorption and excretion.


 It helps in synthesis of vitamine D from the precursor 7 dihydro-
cholesterol under influence of ultraviolet rays.
 It helps in synthesis of cytokines and synthesis of growth factors
thus it is regarded as an endocrine organ.
 It helps in control of body temperature which is an important
function of skin.
 It is a major sense organ supplied by nerve terminals and receptors
for touch, temperature, pain, mechanical and pleasure stimuli.
 Skin is water proof, thereby prevents the loss of body fluid.
 It forms unique means of individual identification by the study of
finger prints on the palmar and plantar surfaces (Dermatoglyphics).

SURFACE AREA OF THE SKIN


 In adults, the skin covers an area of about 2 square meters (22 square
feet) and weight 4.5–5 kg, about 16% of body weight.
 It ranges in thickness from 0.5 mm on the eyelids to 4.0 mm on
the heels.
 However, over most of the body it is 1–2 mm thick.
 In damage of skin by burns an estimate of affected area is important
in assessing the need for fluid replacement therapy.
 In order to assess the area involved in burns
 One can follow the rule of nine:
 Head and neck (9%)
 Each upper limb (9%)
 The front of the trunk (18%)
 The back of the trunk including buttocks (18%)
 Each lower limb (18%)
 Perineum (1%).

PIGMENTATION OF SKIN (Fig. 10.1)


Color of the skin varies with:
Amount of blood
Degree of oxygenation
Activity of specialized cells—producing the melanin pigments
 Melanin, carotene and hemoglobin are three pigments that
impart a wide variety of colors to skin
Skin and its Appendages 187

Four principal cell types in epidermis

Fig. 10.1:  Structure of melanocyte

 Melanocytes are derived from neural crest cells. They migrate


in epidermodermal junction
 Amount of melanin causes the skin’s color to vary from pale
yellow to tan to black
 Melanocytes are most plentiful in the epidermis of the penis,
nipples of breast, areas around the nipples (areolae) face and limbs
–– They are also present in the mucous membranes
–– Number of melanocytes is about the same in all the people,
but differences in color of skin is mainly due to amount
188 Textbook of General Anatomy

of melanin pigment, which the melanocytes produce and


disperse to keratinocytes.
 Melanocytes synthesize melanin from the amino acid tyrosine
in the presence of enzyme called tyrosinase
 Synthesis occur in an organelle called melanosome
 Exposure to UV light increases the enzymatic activity within
melanosomes and thus stimulates melanin production due to
this both the amount and darkness of melanin increase, which
gives the skin a tanned appearance and further protects the body
against UV radiation
 Thus within limits melanin serves a protective function. Never-
theless repeatedly exposing the skin to UV light causes skin
cancer.

Applied Importance
Albinism: Total depigmentation of the skin. It is an autosomal recessive
disorder associated with congenital agenesis of enzyme tyrosinase.
Vitiligo: It is localized depigmentation of skin. It takes place when
melanocytes loose their ability to produce melanin or are themselves
lost.
Moles (Melanocytic naevi): In this condition melanocytes are clustered
in high densities.

Skin Color Clues


 Color of skin and mucous membrane can provide clues for diag-
nosing certain conditions.
 When the blood is not picking up adequate amount of oxygen
in the lungs due to any disease, in these conditions, the mucous
membranes, nail beds, and skin appear bluish or cynotic.
 Jaundice is due to built up of yellow pigment bilirubin in the
blood. This causes yellowish appearance of the sclera of eyes and
the skin
 Jaundice indicates liver disease.
 Erythema: In this condition in which redness of skin occurs due to
engorgement of capillaries in the dermis with blood due to:
 Skin injury
 Exposure to heat
Skin and its Appendages 189

 Infection
 Inflammation or allergic reactions.

TYPES OF SKIN
 Based on the structural and functional properties. We classify the
skin into two major types:
Thin hairy skin (Hirsute)

Thick hairless (Glabrous)

 Although the skin of whole body is fundamentally similar still there
are local variations.
 Variations are in thickness, mechanical strength, softness flexibility,
degree of keratinization, size and number of hair frequency and types
of glands, pigmentation, vascularity, innervation.

Thin Hairy Skin (Hirsute) (Fig. 10.2)


 It covers all parts of body except the palms, palmar surfaces of the
digits and soles.
 Its epidermis is thin just 0.10–0.15 mm
 Presence of hair follicles: Arrector pilorum muscles, sebaceous
glands, sweat glands (few)
 Sparse distribution of sensory receptors

Fig. 10.2:  Thin hairy skin


190 Textbook of General Anatomy

 Lacks stratum lucidum and epidermal ridges (because of few dermal


papillae).

Thick Hairless Skin (Glabrous) (Figs 10.3 and 10.4)


 This is confined to the palms, soles and flexor surface of the digits.
 Its epidermis is relatively thick 0.6–4.5 mm.
 Presence of distinct layer of stratum lucidum.
 Thicker stratum spinosum and corneum.
 Dermal papillae are larger and more numerous thus presence of
epidermal ridges.

Fig. 10.3:  Thick hairless skin


Skin and its Appendages 191

Fig. 10.4:  Layers of epidermis


 Lacks hair follicles, arrector pilorum muscle and sebaceous glands
 Presence of many swreat glands and sensory receptors are more
densely clustered.

Surface Irregularities of the Skin


The skin is marked by four types of surface irregularities:
1. The tension lines
2. Flexure lines
3. Papillary ridges
4. Wrinkle lines

Tension Lines
 Form a network of linear furrows or simple lattice pattern of lines.
 Occurs on all major areas of the body, which divide the surface into
polygonal or lozenge-shaped areas.
 These lines correspond to variations in the patterns of fibers in the
dermis.
 Function of tension lines is to permit stretch and recoil of skin.

Flexure Lines (Skin Creases) (Fig.10.5)


 These are certain permanent lines along which the skin folds during
habitual movements (Chiefly flexion) of the joints.
192 Textbook of General Anatomy

Fig. 10.5:  Flexure lines (Down syndrome)

 The skin along these lines is thin and firmly bound to the deep fascia.
 Lines are prominent opposite the flexure of the joints (particularly
on the palms, soles and digits).
 In Down syndrome, the distal and middle palmar creases tend to be
united into a prominent single transverse line, a sign of diagnostic
importance.

Papillary Ridges (Friction Ridges)


 These are confined to palms and soles and their digits.
 They correspond to patterns of dermal papillae.
 Their study constitutes a branch of science called dermatoglyphics.
 Three major patterns in the human finger prints include loops,
whorls and arches.
 These patterns are determined genetically.

Wrinkles Lines
 They are caused by contraction of underlying muscle.
 These line perpendicular to the axis of the skin.
 They are seen as lines of expression on the face.
 These lines are also called as lines of Langer.
 Incisions made along creases and wrinkle lines heal with a minimum
of scarring. Hence incisions should never be given across lines.
Skin and its Appendages 193

SKIN AND ITS APPENDAGES–II


STRUCTURE OF SKIN
The skin is composed of two distinct layers:
Epidermis
Dermis.

Epidermis
 Epidermis is the superficial avascular layer of stratified squamous
epithelium (keratinized variety).
 It is ectodermal in origin.

It consists of four principal types of cells:


 Keratinocytes: 90%
 Melanocytes: 8%
 Langerhans cells
 Merkel cells.

Keratinocytes (Fig.10.6A)
 Keratinocytes are epidermal cells which are arranged in four or
five layers.
 They produce the protein keratin which protects the skin and under-
lying tissue from heat, microbes and chemicals.

Melanocytes (Fig.10.6B)
 Melanocytes are epidermal cells which produce the pigment
melanin.
 Their long slender projections extend between the keratinocytes
and transfer melanin granules to them.
 Melanin contributes color to skin and absorbs (damaging) ultraviolet
light.

Langerhans Cells (Fig.10.6C)


Langerhans cells arise from red bone marrow. They belong to
mononuclear phagocyte system and migrate to epidermis.
194 Textbook of General Anatomy

 They participate in immune responses and protect skin against viral


and other infections.

Merkel Cells (Fig.10.6D)


 Merkel cells are very few in number
 They are located in the deepest layer of the epidermis where they
come in contact with the sensory neuron
 They detect different aspects of touch sensations.

Epidermis (Figs 10.7 and 10.8)


 It consists of stratified epithelium in which following layers can
be recognized
 In most of the regions of the body the epidermis has four strata
of layers:
 Stratum basale
 Stratum spinosum
 Stratum granulosum
 Thin stratum corneum.

A B

C D
Figs 10.6A to D:  Types of cells in epidermis. (A) Keratinocyte;
(B) Melanocyte; (C) Langerhans cell; (D) Merkel cell
Skin and its Appendages 195

Fig. 10.7:  Structure of epidermis

Fig. 10.8:  Structure of epidermis (Thick skin)


196 Textbook of General Anatomy

Where exposure to friction is greatest such as in fingerprints, palms


and soles, the epidermis has five layers
1. Stratum basale
2. Stratum spinosum
3. Stratum granulosum
4. Stratum lucidum
5. Thick stratum corneum
 When we see the epidermis of the skin, there are downward
projections of epidermis which are called as epidermal papillae
 The surface of epidermis is also marked with elevations and
depression which form the papillary ridges.

Layers of Epidermis (Figs 10.9 and 10.10)


Stratum Basale
 Deepest layer or basal layer
 It is made up of single layer of columnar cells that rest on the base-
ment membrane
 These are stem cells that under mitosis to give off cells called
keratinocytes
 These keratinocytes form more superficial layers of cells thus this
layer is also called as geminal layer (Stratum germinatum).

Fig. 10.9:  Structure of epidermis (Thin skin)


Skin and its Appendages 197

Fig. 10.10:  Thin skin (Arrector pilorum muscle) and Hair follicle

Stratum Spinosum
 Above basal layer these are several layers of polygonal keratino-
cytes that constitute the stratum spinosum (or Malpighian layer).
 The cells of this layer are attached to one another by numerous
desmosomes
 During routine preparation of tissue for sectioning the cells retract
from each other except at the desmosomes
 As a result cells appear to have a number of spines
 Thus this layer is called as stratum spinosum
 For the same reason keratinocytes of this layer are also called as
prickle cells.

Stratum Granulosum
 This layer consist of 1–5 layers of flattened cells that are characterized
by the presence of deeply staining granules in their cytoplasm.
 Granules contain protein called keratohyalin.
 Nuclei of cells in this layers are condensed and dark staining
(Pyknotic).
198 Textbook of General Anatomy

Stratum Lucidum
 This layer is superficial to stratum granulosum
 It appears homogenous because the cell boundaries become indis-
tinct
 Flattened nuclei may be seen in some cells.

Stratum Corneum
 Most superficial layer—this layer is acellular
 It is made up of flattened scale like elements containing keratin
filaments embedded in proteins.
 The squames are held together by a glue like material containing
lipids and carbohydrates
 The presence of lipids makes this layer highly resistant to permea-
tion by water
 Stratum corneum is thickest where the skin is exposed to maximal
friction, e.g. on the palms and soles
 Superficial layers of epidermis are constantly shed off and are
replaced by proliferation of cells in deeper layers.

Dermis of Skin
 Dermis is made up of connective tissue
 Just below epidermis the connective tissue is thick and constitutes
the papillary layer
 Deep to this there is a network of thick fiber bundles that constitute
the reticular layer of the dermis
Papillary layer includes:
 The connective tissue of dermal papillae, each papilla contains a
capillary loop
 Some papillae contain tactile corpuscles.
Reticular layer contains:
 Mainly bundles of collagen fibers
 Considerable numbers of elastic fibers
 Adipose tissue in the intervals between the fiber bundles.
 The direction of the bundles of collagen fibers constitute the
cleavage lines (Langer’s lines which are longitudinal in the limbs
and horizontal in the trunk and neck)
Skin and its Appendages 199

Overstretching of the skin may lead to rupture of the fibers, followed


by scar formation.
  These scars appear as white streaks on the skin (Stria
gravidarum) Stria distensae are also stretch marks of skin.
Stretch marks usually fade after pregnancy or weight loss but they
never disappear completely.

BLOOD SUPPLY OF SKIN (Fig. 10.11)


 Blood supply of the skin comes from the dermis
 The epidermis is avascular, it gets nutrition only by diffusion from
the nearest capillary loops of the dermis
 A deep network of branches the rete cutaneum, derived from the
main arteries is located deep to the dermis
 Some branches from this network project towards the epidermis
and form a second rete subpapillary

Fig. 10.11:  Blood supply of skin


200 Textbook of General Anatomy

 At the junction between the papillary and reticular layers of the


dermis, small arterioles from the rete sub-papillary send branches
into the dermal papillae to form extensive capillary bed. These
branches establish connections by their collateral branches with
the neighbouring venules forming arteriovenous anastomosis
(AVA)
 When the body is overheated the arteriovenous anastomosis
constricts and blood flow to the capillary plexus of dermal papillae
increases resulting in increased sweating to reduce the body
temperature
 In contrast when the body becomes chilled the blood is directed
away from the capillary beds by way of arteriovenous shunt
conserving the body heat
 This blood supply to the skin provides nutrition to the epidermis
and helps thermoregulation.

Nerve Supply of Skin


 Skin is richly supplied with sensory nerves
 Nerve fibers are seen in superficial parts of the dermis
 Autonomic nerves supply arrector pilorum muscles and sweat
glands.

APPENDAGES OF SKIN
These includes hairs sebaceous glands, sweat glands, arrector pilorum
muscle and nails.

Hair (Fig. 10.12)


 Hair are keratinized elongated structures derived from invagina-
tions of epidermis and project out from most of the body surface
 Hairs are absent—on palms, soles, lips, nipples, glans penis, clitoris,
prepuce, labia minora and inner surface of labial majora.

Function of Hair
 They assist thermoregulations
 Provide protection of body surface from external injury
Skin and its Appendages 201

Fig. 10.12:  Parts of hair

 Help in sensory function


 Distribution of hair after puberty possesses distinctive sex differ-
ences.

Parts of the Hair


 Each hair consists of shaft projecting out from the body surface
root lying within the hair follicle which is a tubular invagination
of the epidermis
 Hair bulb is an expanded deep end of the follicle
 Dermal papillae—conical varcular projection at the base of the
hair bulb contains a capillary network which is vital in sustaining
the hair follicle because loss of blood will result in death of follicle.
 Melanocytes—numerous melanocytes with their dendritic processes
are interspersed among the differentiating cells of the hair bulb and are
responsible for pigmentation of hair.
 Growth rate of hair vary in different regions—hairs grow at the rate
of 1.5 to 2 mm/week.
202 Textbook of General Anatomy

 Life span—varies from 4 months (eyelashes, axillary hair) to 4 years


(Scalp hair).
 Alterations of hairs in deseases:
 In malnutrition hair become thin, dry and sparse
 In hypothyroidism they become coarse and dry
 Excessive growth of hair (Hirsutism) occurs in adrenogenital
syndrome
 Loss of hair called as alopecia.

Types of Hair
Three types of hair are encountered in the human body:
 Lanugo hairs—are fine, pigmented primary hairs which appear
on the fetal body by the fifth month. Lanugo hairs are mostly shed
before birth.
 Vellus hairs—are secondary hairs and replace the lanugo hairs
except in the scalp, eyebrows and eyelashes, which are replaced
by coarse terminal hairs.
 Terminal hairs—are thick and coarse, in addition to scalp eyebrows
and eyelashes they appeal at puberty on the pubis and axillae in
both sexes.

Sebaceous Glands (Fig. 10.13)


 These are holocrine glands because they secrete an oily fluid
(sebum) by complete destruction of cell cytoplasm
 Most of the sebaceous glands develop as lateral outgrowths of the
outer root sheath of hair follicles
 They are located in the dermis in the triangular space intervening
between the hair follicles, arrector pilorum muscle and overlying
skin surface
 Sebaceous glands are abundant—on the face, scalp, ears, nostrils,
vulva, and around anus.

Isolated Sebaceous Glands


 In certain areas of body the sebaceous glands do not empty into the
hair follicles, but open directly on the skin surface
 They are:
 On the lips and corners of mouth
Skin and its Appendages 203

Fig. 10.13:  Sebaceous gland

 On areola around the nipple of female breasts as Montgomery’s


tubercles
 Glans penis and inner surface of prepuce
 Glans clitoridis and labia minora
 In eyelids as mebomian glands.

Arrector Pilorum Muscle (Fig. 10.10)


 These are small bands of smooth muscles, which extend diagonally
from the dermal coat of the isthmus of hair follicle to the papillary
layer of the dermis and are found on the side of hair follicles.
 They makes an obtuse angle with the skin surface.
 Contraction of arector pilorum muscle results in erection of hair
shaft to more upright position and depression of the skin where the
muscles are attached to dermis
 This produces goose “Flesh” appearance on exposure to cold or
emotional stimuli.
 Arrector pilorum are innervated by cholinergic fibers of sympa-
thetic nerves.
204 Textbook of General Anatomy

 They are absent in facial and axillary hairs, eyebrows and


eyelashes
 Hair of nostrils and external acoustic meatus.

Sweat Glands (Fig. 10.14)


These are of two types:
1. Eccrine glands
2. Apocrine glands.

Eccrine Glands
 These are widely distributed on entire body surface numerous on
forehead, scalp, palms and soles
 They are absent on:
–– Tympanic membrane
–– Margins of lips
–– Labia minora
–– Glans penis

Fig. 10.14:  Sweat gland


Skin and its Appendages 205

 Each gland is a long, unbranched tubular structure and presents a


highly coiled secretory portion called as body within the dermis
and a narrower ductal portion, which opens on skin surface
 The secretions of sweat glands are clear, colorless and hypotonic.

Apocrine Sweat Glands


 These are found in the following areas of the body: Axilla, areola,
perianal regions, prepuce scrotum, mons pubis, ceruminous glands
of external acoustic meatus.
 These glands secrete a protein rich, milky fluid which is
initially odorless but acquires a distinctive odor due to bacterial
decomposition.

Nails (Fig. 10.15)


 The nails are plates of keratinized epithelial cells on the dorsal
surface of distal phalanx.
 Each nail consists of three parts:
 Proximal part or root
 Exposed part or body
 A free distal border.
 Structurally body of nail corresponds to stratum corneum of skin
and consists of dead anucleate keratin filled squames.
 The body rests on a nail bed which is composed of stratum basale
and stratum spinosum.
 Function: It aids in grasping and manipulating small objects.

Fig. 10.15:  Structure of nail


206 Textbook of General Anatomy

APPLIED ANATOMY OF SKIN


 The skin becomes pale in anemia and it appears yellow in jaundice
and blue in cyanosis
 Boil is an infection and suppuration of hair follicle and sebaceous
gland
 When there is loss of sensibility to touch, it is called as anesthesia
 And loss of pain sensibility is called as analgesia
 And loss of temperature sensibility is called as thermoanesthesia.

Skin Grafting
Skin grafting is of two types:
1. Split thickness skin grafting: Where greater part of epidermis with
the tips of dermal papillae is used.
2. Full thickness skin grafting: Where both epidermis and dermis are
used.

Review Questions
I. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Melanocytes are derived from:
a. Ectoderm b. Mesoderm
c. Bone marrow d. Neural crest cells
2. The secretory part of sweat glands is situated in:
a. Epidermis b. Dermoepidermal junction
c. Papillary layer of dermis d. Reticular layer of dermis
3. Sebaceous glands are of following types:
a. Holocrine b. Merocrine
c. Apocrine d. None of the above
4. Thick skin is identified from the presence of a layer:
a. Stratum lucidum b. Stratum spinosum
c. Stratum basale d. Stratum granulosum

Answers
1.  d   2.  d   3.  a   4.  a
Skin and its Appendages 207

II. How would you classify skin. What are the structures called
as appendages of skin?
III. Write short notes on:
a. Arrector pilorum muscles.
b. Cells of epidermis.
c. Names the layers of skin.
d. Blood supply of skin.
Index

Page numbers followed by f refer to figure

A Argentophil fibers  33
Arrector pilorum muscle  197f, 203
Abductor pollicis longus  117
of skin  105
Aberrant epiphysis  68
Arterial anastomosis  73, 162
Acceleration of heart rate  147
Arteries  151, 155
Accessory
Arterioles  151, 155
blood vessels  117 Arteriosclerosis 165
bones 63 Arteriovenous
Acetabular fat of hip joint  98 anastomosis 162f, 163, 200
Acidic dye  17 shunt 200
Actions of muscle  123 Arteritis  100, 165
Adipose tissue  34, 39, 40f Articular
Adrenergic system  147 bursa 115
Adrenogenital syndrome  202 capsule  88, 89, 91
Alpha efferent fibers  118 cartilage 89
Alveolar macrophages  24 disc or meniscus  88, 89, 92
Amphiarthrosis 79 Articulatory system  3
Anastomosis of blood vessels  162, Astrocyte 136
163f Atavistic epiphysis  67, 68f
Anatomy of connective tissue  40 Atlantoaxial joint  95
Anchoring filaments  172 Atrium 150
Angular movements  98 Autonomic
Ankle joint  94f components 126
Annulus fibrosis  86 nerves  104, 132, 200
Antegrade degeneration  144 nervous system  132, 144, 145
Apocrine Avascular tissues  171
glands 204 Axial bones  58
sweat glands  205 Axoaxonic synapses  135
Appearance of blood vessels  57f Axodendritic synapses  135
Appendages of skin  200 Axosomatic synapses  135
Appendicular bones  58
Areolar B
connective tissue  21 Bands of Bunger  144
tissue 34 Basis of hyaline cartilage  31
210 Textbook of General Anatomy

Biaxial joint  92, 96 Cavernous tissues  159


Biceps brachii  116, 123 Cells of connective tissue  22f
Bipolar Cellular cartilage  49, 49f
cells of retina  131 Central
neuron 130f, 131 lymphoid tissues  174
Blood nervous system  126
and nerve supply of veins  161 Centrioles 129
channels 182 Cerebellar cortex  128
pressure falls  149 Chains of lymph nodes  167
supply of Characteristics of synovial
arteries  156, 157f joints 87
bone 72 Cholinergic system  148
flat bone  74, 75f Chondroblasts  44, 46
irregular bone  74, 75f Chondrocytes  22, 44
joints 99 Chondrodystrophia fetalis  71
long bone  72, 72f Chondroitin
short long bone  73, 73f C 35
skeletal muscle  117 sulfate  45, 50
skin  199, 199f Circulating lymphocytes  182
vertebra 74 Cisterna chyli  172
vascular system  150 Clasmatocytes 24
vessels 150 Classification of
B-lymphocytes 175 blood vessels  155
Bone bones 56
formation 57f, 58f joints 78
marrow 174 neuroglia  136, 136f
Brachiocephalic veins  172 neurons  129, 130f, 133f
Bursa 114 synapses  134, 135f
synovial joints  92
C Closed-face nuclei  23
Calcification of hyaline Cold temperature  91
cartilage 48 Collagen fibers  30, 30f, 50
Cancellous bone  55 Collateral
Capillary  152, 155, 157 circulation 162
bed 200 ganglia 148
loop 198 ganglions 147
Cardiac muscle  102, 104, 104f, 145 Communicating bursa  115
Cardiovascular system  164 Compact bone  55, 55f
Cartilage  43, 45 Complex joint  93, 94f
canals 45 Component of
Cartilaginous lymphatic system  169, 174
joints  78, 80, 83 vascular system  150, 151f
model 58f Compound joint  92, 93, 94f
plate 84 Condensation of cells  57f
Index 211

Condylar joint  96 Diastolic


Congenital agenesis of enzyme blood pressure  156
tyrosinase 188 pressure 164
Connective tissue  20, 21, 29 Dilatation of pupils  147
matrix 29 Diseases of collagen fibers  40
Constituents elements of connective Dislocation of joint  99
tissue 21 Distribution of macrophages  25
Constriction of pupils  149 Dorsal root ganglion  131
Constrictor pupillae  117 Down syndrome  192f
Continuous capillaries  158 Draining excess interstitial
Coronary arteries  163 fluid  167
Corpuscles of Hassall  177
Cortex  66, 180 E
of brain  132 Eccrine glands  204
Cranial nerves  145 Edema 36
Craniosacral outflow  147 Effect of
Cruciate muscle  114 nerve injuries  143
Cytoplasm 129 parasympathetic stimulation  149
sympathetic stimulation  147
D Elastic
Dartos muscle of scrotum  105 cartilage  50, 51f
Deficiency of vitamin connective tissue  39, 41f
A 70 fibers  34f
C 70 Elbow joint  95f
D 70 Elephantiasis 184
Definition of synovial joints  87 Eliminate waste products  109
Dehydration 15 Ellipsoid joint  96, 97f
Dense Embryonic mesoderm  20
irregular connective tissue  37, Endochondral ossification  57, 71
38f Endocrine organ  186
regular connective tissue  39, 40f Endomysium 106
Denticulate suture  82 Endoneural tubes  143
Deposition of calcium salts  48 Endoneurium 142
Dermal papillae  201 Ependymal cells  136, 137
Dermatin sulfate  35 Epidermal papillae  196
Dermis of skin  198 Epidermis  193, 194
Description of components parts of Epineurium 142
synovial joints  89 Epiphyseal
Development of and metaphyseal arteries  74
lymphatic tissues  168 arteries 73
skeletal muscle  118, 118f cartilage 67
Diaphysis 66 line 69
Diarthrosis 80 plate of cartilage  69, 69f
212 Textbook of General Anatomy

Epiphysis 67 ground substance  36


Erythema 188 hair 200
Extensor digitorum longus  113 lymphatic system  167
External oblique abdominis  117 skin 185
Functional classification of
F joints 79f
Fascicular architecture of Fusiform muscle  112
muscle  111, 112f Fusimotor fibers  122
Fasciculi 106
Fat cell  29f G
Fatty foods  166 Ganglion cells of auditory
Fenestrated capillaries  158 nerve 131
Fibroblasts 22 Geminal layer  196f
Fibrocartilaginous joints  85 Giant cells  25f
Fibrocytes 22 Ginglymus joints  95
Fibrous Glans penis  204
astrocyte 136f, 137 Glossopharyngeal nerve  148
bone 63 Golgi apparatus  129
capsule 91 Gomphosis  80, 83, 84f
joints  78, 80, 82 Granular and agranular endoplasmic
membrane 83 reticulum 129
First Granule cell  133f
carpometacarpal joint  98f Greenstick fractures  76
lymph sacs  168 Growth
Fixation muscle  123 and development of cartilage  46,
Flaccid paralysis  124 47f
Flat bone  59, 60f of long bone  69
Flexible bone  54f rate 201
Flexor pollicis longus  113, 117
Flexure lines  191, 192f H
Foramen 64 Hair
Formation of bulb 201
collagen fibers  23 follicles 189
myelin sheath  140, 140f Hassall’s corpuscles  177
Fourth lymph sac  169 Haversian glands  98
Fracture of bone  76 Hemal nodes  182
Frey’s syndrome  144 Hematoxylin 17
Function of and eosin staining method  17
astrocytes 137 Hemolymph nodes  182
bone 54 Hemorrhage 164
disc or meniscus  92 Heparin sulfate  36
fibroblasts  23 Heterotopic bones  63
fibrous capsule  91 Hinge joint  95f
fluid  90 Histiocytes 24
Index 213

Hyaline cartilage  50, 50f Lanugo hairs  202


joints 83 Large
Hyaluronic acid  35, 90 anterior horn cell  128
Hydroxylysine 30 arteries 156
Hydroxyproline 30 hemal node  182
Hypertrophy 124 motor unit  119
Hyposecretion of alpha cells  70 Lateral
ganglion 147
I horn cells of spinal cord  147
Immune system  166 Law of
Intercellular substance  21 ossification  71
Internal oblique abdominis  117 reciprocal innervations  123
Interosseous ligaments  82 union of epiphysis  71
Interphalangeal joint  93f Layers of epidermis  191f, 196
Interstitial growth  46 Left lymphatic duct  172
Intervertebral disc  85, 86f Leprosy bacilli  144
Intestinal trunks  174 Levator labii superioris  117
Intrafusal Lines of Langer  192
fibers  145 Lipofuscin 129
muscle fibers  121 Lithium carmine  24
Intramembranous ossification  57 Long bone  59, 60f
Intrinsic muscles of eye  105 Loose connective tissue  37, 38f
Involuntary muscle  105 Lower
Irregular limb 184
bone  60, 61f vertebrates 130
connective tissue  36 Lumbar trunks  174
Isolated sebaceous glands  202 Lymph
nodes  167, 169, 179, 180f
J trunks and ducts  172, 173f
Joints 78 Lymphadenitis 183
Lymphangitis 183
K Lymphatic
Keratin sulfate  35 capillaries  171, 171f
Keratinocytes  193, 194f, 196 channels 179
Keratohyalin 197 drainage 117
Killer cells  175 of synovial joints  99
Killing virus  175 of bone  74
Knee joint  92 system  166, 174, 183
Krause membrane  107 vessels
and lymph circulation  170,
L 170f
Lamellar bone  63 of viscera  171
Langer’s lines  198 Lymphedema 183
Langerhans cell  193, 194f Lymphocytes 22
214 Textbook of General Anatomy

Lymphoid nodules  178, 178f Muscle


Lysosomes 129 fibers  102, 106
of eyeball  120
M of thumb  120
Macroglia 136 tone 122
cells 136 Muscular
Macrophage cell  24, 24f spasm 124
Manubriosternal joints  87 system 3
Marfan’s syndrome  41 tissue 102
Margins of lips  204 Myasthenia gravis  124
Mast cell  27, 27f, 28 Myelinated nerve fibers  139
Medulla 181 Myeloma 27
Medullary cavity  55, 66 Myoepithelial cell  105, 105f
Melanocytes  28, 187, 193, 194f, Myofibrils  106
201 Myofilaments  106, 108
Melanocytic naevi  188 Myohemoglobin 110
Membrane bone formation  57, 57f Myosin filaments  108
Membranocartilaginous
ossification  58 N
Merkel cells  193, 194, 194f
Nail bed  205
Mesencephalic nucleus  130, 131
Nerve
Mesenchymal cells  22, 57f, 58f,
cells 127
169
fibers  34, 139
Mesodermal embryonic cells  22
supply of
Metacarpophalangeal joint  93f
arteries 157
Metaphyseal or juxta-epiphyseal
supply of bone  74
arteries 73
Metaphysis 66 skeletal muscle  118, 119f
Microglia cells  136, 138 skin 200
Microglial cell  136f synovial joints  99
Microtome 16 Nervous
Microtubules 129 system 3
Mineral acid  53 tissue 126
Mitochondria 129 Neural crest ectoderm  187
Mononuclear phagocyte system  24 Neuroglia  127, 135
Motor Neurolemmal sheaths  143, 144
end plate  120, 120f Neuromuscular
nerve terminals  122 junction 120f
Movements of synovial joints  98 spindle  121, 121f
Mucoid tissue  39, 41f Neurons  127, 128f
Multinucleated fibers  103 Neuropathic joint  100
Multipolar Neurovascular
neuron 130f bundle 156
neurons 131 hilum 117
Index 215

Nissl long bone  64, 65f


bodies 143 lymph node  168f
substance 129 nervous system  126
Nodes of Ranvier  141, 141f skeletal muscle  110, 111f
Nomenclature of muscles  116 Peculiarities of
Non-myelinated cartilage 45
axons 141f neurons 127
nerve fibers  139, 140 synovial joints  98
Nuclear Peg and socket joint  83, 84f
bag fibers  122 Pennate muscle  112, 112f
chain fibers  122 Perichondrium 44
Nuclei of cells  17 Perimysium 106
Nucleus pulposus  86 Perineurium 142
Nutrient artery  73 Periosteal arteries  73, 74
Periosteum 66
O Peripheral
Olfactory cells of nasal mucous heart 161
membrane 131 lymphoid organs  177
Oligodendrocytes  136, 136f, 137, nerves  139, 142, 142f, 143
139 nervous system  126
Open-faced nuclei  23 Peroneus tertius  113
Orbicularis oris  116 Phagocytosis 167
Ordinary connective tissue  36 Phlebitis 165
Organization of Pigment cells  28
single muscle fiber  107f Pigmentation of
skeletal muscle fiber  106 hair 201
Organophosphorus poisoning  124 skin 186
Osteocytes 22 Pigmented connective tissue  39
Osteophytes 90 Pituitary gland  70
Pivot joint  95, 96f
P Plane
Paired jugular lymph sacs  168 joint  92, 97
Papillary suture 82
layer 198 Plasma cells  26, 26f, 175, 178
ridges  191, 192 Plate of hyaline cartilage  83
Paraffin embedding  16 Pneumatic bone  61, 62
Parallel muscle  111, 112f Polyaxial joint  92, 97
Paralysis 124 Portal
Parasympathetic nervous circulation 155
system  147, 148f vein 155
Parathyroid gland  71 Postganglionic
Paris nomina anatomica  2 fibers  147
Parts of neurons  132, 148
hair  201, 201f Postsynaptic membrane  120, 134
216 Textbook of General Anatomy

Precapillary sphincter  156 fibers  33, 34f, 35f


Preganglionic layer contains  198
motor neurons  147 Ribonucleic acid  129
neurons 132 Rider’s bone  63
Pressure epiphysis  67 Right lymphatic duct  172, 174
Presynaptic membrane  120, 134 Route of spread of cancer cells  184
Primary
cartilaginous joint  83 S
center of ossification  57 Saddle joint  97, 98f
lymph follicles  178 Sarcolemma  106, 121
tissues of body  14 Sarcomere 107
Prime movers  123 Scar formation  199
Procollagen molecule  32 Schindylesis 82
Production of collagen fibers  32 Schwann cell  139, 140
Pronator teres  117 sheath 141
Protoplasmic astrocyte  136f, 137 Sclerous tissue  53
Pseudounipolar neurons  130 Sebaceous gland  202, 203f
Pulmonary Second lymph sac  168
circulation 152 Secondary cartilaginous joints  83,
veins 154 85, 86f
Pulse pressure  164 Sensory nerves  200
Purkinje cell  133f Serrate suture  81
Pyramidal cell  133f Sesamoid bone  61, 62
Sharpey’s fibers  66
Q Short bones  59, 60f
Shortness of muscle fibers  113
Quadriceps femoris  116
Shoulder joint  97
Quadrilateral muscle  111
Silver salts  33
R Simple joint  92, 93, 93f
Single
Radiocarpal joint  97f muscle fiber  106, 107f
Rectus femoris  113 nucleus 104
Red bone marrow  182 transverse line  192
Reduction of fracture  76 Sinusoids 159
Reflex arc  138, 138f and cavernous tissues  155
Regeneration gliosis  137 Skeletal
Regulation of muscle tone  123 muscle  102, 103, 103f, 106, 106f
Reservoir vessels  152 system 3
Resistance vessels  152 Skin
Rete color clues  188
cutaneum 199 grafting 206
subpapillary  199, 200 Small
Reticular intestine 172
cells 28 motor 119
epithelial cells  177 unit 119
Index 217

Smallest arteries  156 shunt 162f


Smooth muscle  34, 102, 104, 104f, sinusoid 159f
145 skin 193
cells 33 synapse 133f
tissue 34 thymus  175, 176f
Solitary lymph node  179 valve 160f
Somatic nervous system  145 vein  160, 160f
Spastic paralysis  124 Subcutaneous bursa  115
Sphincters of Subdivisions of autonomic nervous
anus 105 system 146
gut 147 Subfascial bursa  115
Spine 64 Submuscular bursa  115
Spiral muscle  114, 114f Subsequent synostosis  85
Spleen 183f Subtendinous bursa  115
macrophages 24 Superior radioulnar joint  96, 96f
Spongy bone  55, 56f Supinator muscle  117
Squamous suture  82 Suppression of intestinal
Stages of regeneration  144 peristalsis 147
Stem cells  22 Suprarenal medulla  147
Sternoclavicular joint  85 Surface irregularities of skin  191
Strap muscle  111 Sutural
Stratum joint 82f
basale  194, 196 ligaments 82
corneum 198 Sutures 80
germinatum 196 Sweat gland  204, 204f
granulosum  194, 196, 197 Sympathetic nervous system  146,
lucidum  196, 198 146f
spinosum  194, 196, 197 Symphysis  83, 85
Stria pubis 87
distensae 199 Synaptic
gravidarum 199 cleft  120, 134
Structure of vesicles 120
artery and vein  155f Synarthrosis  79, 80
bone 54 Synchondroses  83, 84f, 85
capillary 158f Syndesmosis  80, 82, 83f
cartilage 44 Synergists muscle  123
epidermis 195f, 196f Synostosis  84, 85f
fibroblast and fibrocyte  23f Synovial
lymph node  179, 181f fluid  89, 90
mast cell  27f joints  78, 80, 87, 88f
melanocyte 187f membrane  89, 91
myofibril  108, 108f, 109f Systemic
nail 205f circulation  152, 155
neuron  128, 128f veins 155
plasma cell  26f Systolic pressure  164
218 Textbook of General Anatomy

T cartilage 49
cells in epidermis  194f
Tactile corpuscles  198
circulation of blood  152
Temporomandibular joint  92
connective tissue  36
Tendon synovial sheath  115, 115f
hair 202
Tension lines  191
muscle 102
Terminal
skeletal muscle fibers  109
ganglions  147, 148
skin 189
hairs 202
sutures 81
Tetanus and epilepsy  124
Thick U
hairless skin  190, 190f
stratum corneum  196 Uniaxial joint  92, 95
Thin Unipolar neuron  130, 130f
hairy skin  189, 189f Unmyelinated sympathetic
stratum corneum  194 fibers  119
Third pharyngeal pouch  169 Urinary bladder  105
Thoracic duct  172, 173f
V
Thymic corpuscles  177f
Thymus  169, 175, 176f Vasa vasorum  156, 161
dependent zone  181 Vascular
Tibialis connective tissue  87
anterior 113 system 3
posterior 113 Vasoconstriction of cutaneous blood
Tissue fluid  152 vessels 147
Traction epiphysis  67 Veins  151, 159
Transitional zone of esophagus  Vellus hairs  202
105 Venae cavae  151
Triceps brachii  116, 123 Venous system  167
Trochoid joint  95 Ventricle 150
Tropocollagen molecules  30 Venules and veins  155
Trypan blue  24 Verhoeff’s stain  33
Tubercle 64 Voluntary muscle  103
Tuberosity 64
Tunica
W
adventitia 156 Walls of large veins  104
intima 156 Wandering macrophages  24
media 156 Wedge and groove suture  82
of blood vessels  105 Weeping lubrication  90
Tympanic membrane  204 White fibrocartilage  49, 50f
Types of Wrinkle lines  191, 192
circulation  153f, 154f Wuchereria bancrofti 184
joints 81f
bursae 115 Z
capillaries and structure  158 Z line  107

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