EPITHELIAL TISSUE STRUCTURE
SIMPLE Single layer of flat, often
SQUAMOUS hexagonal cells, the nuclei appear
as bumps when viewed in cross
section because the cells are so
flat
SIMPLE CUBOIDAL Singe layer of cubed-shaped cells;
some cells have microvilli (kidney
tubules) or cilia (terminal
bronchioles of the lungs)
SIMPLE Single layer of tall, narrow cells,
COLUMNAR some cells have cilia (bronchioles
of the lungs, auditory tubes,
uterine tubes, and uterus) or
microvilli (intestines)
PSEUDOSTRATIFIED Single layer of cells; some cells are
COLUMNAR tall and thin and reach the free
surface, and others do not; the
nuclei of these cells are at
different levels and appear
stratified; the cells are almost
always ciliated and are associated
with goblet cells that secrete
mucus onto the free surface
STRATIFIED Several layers of cells that are
SQUAMOUS cuboidal in the basal layer and
progressively flattened toward
the surface; the epithelium can be
nonkeratinized (moist) or
keratinized; in nonkeratinized
stratified squamous epithelium,
the surface cells retain a nucleus
and cytoplasm; in keratinized
stratified epithelium, the
cytoplasm of cells at the surface is
replaced by a protein called
keratin, and the cells are dead
TRANSITIONAL Stratified cells that appear
cuboidal when the organ or tube
is not stretched and squamous
when the organ or tubed is
stretched by fluid
FUNCTION
Diffusion, filtration, some
secretion, and some protection
against friction
Secretion and absorption by
cells of the kidney tubules;
secretion by cells of glands and
choroid plexuses; movement of
particles embedded in mucus
out of the terminal bronchioles
by ciliated cells
Movement of particles out of
the bronchioles of the lungs by
ciliated cells; partially
responsible for the movement
of oocytes through the uterine
tubes by ciliated cells; secretion
by cells of the glands, the
stomach, and the intestine;
absorption by cells out of the
membrane
Synthesize and secrete mucus
onto the free surface and move
mucus (or fluid) that contains
foreign particles over the
surface of the free surface and
from passages
Protects against abrasion,
forms a barrier against
infection, and reduces loss of
water from the body
Accommodates fluctuations in
the volume of fluid in an organ
or a tube; protects against the
caustic effects of urine
LOCATION
Lining of blood vessels and
the heart, lymphatic vessels,
alveoli of the lungs, portions
of the kidney tubules, lining
of serous membranes of body
cavities (pleural, pericardial,
peritoneal)
Kidney tubules, glands and
their ducts, choroid plexuses
of the brain, lining of terminal
bronchioles of the lungs, and
surfaces of the ovaries
Glands and some ducts,
bronchioles of the lungs,
auditory tubes, uterus,
uterine tubes, stomach,
intestines, gallbladder, bile
ducts, and ventricles of the
brain
Lining of nasal cavity, nasal
sinuses, auditory tubes,
pharynx, trachea, and
bronchi of lungs
Keratinized-outer layer of the
skin, nonkeratinized-mouth,
throat, larynx, esophagus,
anus, vagina, inferior urethra,
and corneas
Lining of urinary bladder,
ureters, and superior urethra
Tissue A group of cells with similar structure and function, along with the extracellular
substances located between the cells
Histology Study of tissues
Epithelial tissues Covers surfaces; usually has a basement membrane, little extracellular material, no
blood vessels
Function of epithelia Protecting underlying structures, acting as a barrier, permitting passages of substances,
secreting substances, and absorbing substances
Tight junctions Bind adjacent cells together and form permeability barriers; prevent the passage of
materials between epithelial cells because they completely surround each cell, similar
to the way a belt surrounds a waist
Desmosomes Mechanical links that bind cells together
Hemidesmosomes Modified desmosomes; anchors cells to the basement membrane
Gap junctions Small channels that allow small molecules and ions to pass from one epithelial cell to an
adjacent one

Gland Is a single cell or a multicellular structure that secretes

Exocrine glands Have ducts
Endocrine glands Do not have ducts
Connective tissue Has an extracellular matrix consisting protein fibers, ground substance, and fluid; most
abundant tissue; makes up the bulk of the tissues
Collagen fibers Flexible but resist stretching
Reticular fibers Form a fiber network
Elastic fibers Recoil
Blast cells Cells that form or produce the matrix
Cyte cells Cells that maintain the matrix
Clast cells Cells that break down the matrix
Functions of connective 1)Enclose and separate other tissues, 2)connect tissue to one another, 3)help support
tissue and move body parts, 4)store compounds, 5)cushion and insulate the body, 6)transport
substances, 7)protect against injuries
Muscle tissue Specialized to shorten, or contract
Types of muscular tissue 1)Skeletal, 2)cardiac, and 3)smooth muscle
Nervous tissue Specialized to conduct action potentials (electrical signals)
Neurons Conduct action potentials, and neuroglia support the neurons
Mucous membranes Line cavities that open to the outside of the body (digestive, respiratory, and
reproductive tracts); contain glands and secrete mucus
Serous membranes Line trunk cavities that do not open to the outside of the body (pleural, pericardial, and
peritoneal cavities); they do not contain mucous glands but do secrete serous fluid
Synovial membranes Line joint cavities and secrete a lubricating fluid
Inflammation Isolates and destroys harmful agents; produces redness, heat, swelling, pain, and
disturbance of function
Chronic inflammation Results when the agent causing injury is not removed or something else interferes with
the healing process
Tissue repair The substitution of variable cells for dead cells by regeneration of fibrosis; involves clot
formation, inflammation, the formation of granulation tissue, and the regeneration or
fibrosis of tissue
Alveoli The airways that end as small sacs; consist of simple squamous epithelium that allows
oxygen from the air to diffuse into the body and carbon dioxide to diffuse out of the
body into the air
Mucus A clear, viscous (thick) fluid; protects the lining of the intestine, and the digestive
enzymes complete the process of digesting food
Simple glands Communicate with the surface through one unbranched duct; co
Compound gland Communicate with the surface through a branched duct
 Tubular glands Epithelial-lined tubes
Alveolar/acinus gland Sac-like
Simple straight tubular Opens directly to the surface; glands in the stomach and colon
Simple acinar/alveolar Sebaceous gland of the skin
Simple coiled tubular Long duct; lower portion of the stomach and small intestines
Compound acinar/alveolar Secretory portion are irregularly branched; mammary gland
Compound tubular Secretory portion are coiled tubules, usually branched tubules with numerous sac-like;
mucus glands of duodenum
Merocrine secretion Most exocrine glands are merocrine; two types: serous and mucous
Serous fluid Water with high enzyme concentration
Mucous cells Secrete a mucous, thick fluid rich in glycoprotein
Extracellular matrix 1)protein fibers, 2)ground substance 3)fluid

CLASSIFICATION OF CONNECTIVE TISSUE

CONNECTIVE TISSUE
Areolar connective tissue The “packing material” of the body; fills the spaces between organs and holds
them in place
Adipose tissue Fat, stores energy; pads and protects parts of the body and acts as a thermal
insulator
Dense connective tissue Has a matrix consisting of either densely packed collagen fibers (in tendons,
ligaments, and the dermis of the skin) or densely packed elastic fibers (in
elastic ligaments and the walls of arteries)
Reticular tissue Forms a framework for lymphatic structures
Cartilage Provides support and is found in structures such as the disks between the
vertebrae, the external ear, and the costal cartilages
Bone Has a mineralized matrix and forms most of the skeleton of the body
Blood Has a liquid matrix and is found in blood vessels

CT CELL TYPES

Fibroblasts Secrete protein into the matrix; usually collagen

Macrophages Originate as white blood cells
Mast cells/basophils Release heparin, which prevents blood clotting and histamine, which aids the
inflammatory response

CT FIBERS THAT HELP TO FORM MOST CONNECTIVE TISSUE

White collagenous fibers Made of thick threads of collagen; strong and flexible
Elastic fibers Yellow fibers made of bundles of elastin
Reticular fibers Thin collagenous fibers that form branch network for support
CLASSIFICATION OF CONNECTIVEN TISSUE

CONNECTIVE TISSUE
PROPER
A. LOOSE
Areolar tissue Has extracellular matrix consisting mostly of collagen fibers and a few elastic fibers; binds
organs together, and holds tissue fluids; consist of cells (fibroblasts) in a fluid gel-matrix;
widely distributed throughout the body; forms thin membranes found beneath the skin;
loose packing, support and nourishment for the structure which it is associated
Adipose tissue Consist of adipocytes, or fat cells, which contain large amount of lipid for energy storage;
protects, insulate, stores fat in droplets inside the cell, found beneath the skin, around
the kidneys, mammary glands; storage energy, thermal insulators, protection of organs
against injury from being bumped
Reticular tissue Forms the framework of lymphatic tissue, such as in the spleen and lymph nodes, as well
as in bone marrow and the liver; supports organs
B. DENSE
Dense collagenous Binds organs together; thick collagenous fibers, thin elastic fibers; found in tendons,
ligaments, and the dermis of the skin; ability to withstand great pulling forces
Dense elastic Supports, protects, and provides a flexible framework; composed of collagen fibers and
elastin fibers that runs in the same direction in the elastic ligaments; found between the
vertebrae and along the dorsal aspect of the neck and in the vocal chords and in the
connective tissue of the blood

CARTILAGE
Hyaline cartilage The most abundant type of cartilage; covers the ends of bones where they come together
to form joints
Fibrocartilage Has more collagen than does hyaline cartilage, and bundles of collagen fibers can be seen
in the matrix; able to resist pulling or tearing forces
Elastic cartilage Contains elastic fibers in addition to collagen and proteoglycans; able to recoil to its
original shape when bent