TISSUE LEVEL OF

ORGANIZATION
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
Learning Outcomes
o Identify the four major types of tissues in the body and describe their
roles
o Discuss the types and functions of epithelial tissue
o Compare the structures and functions of the various types of connective
tissues
o Describe the three types of muscle tissue and the special structural
features of each type
o Discuss the basic structure and functions of neural tissue and the
anatomy of a neuron
Tissues o Collection of similar cells and cell products
that perform a limited number of specialized
functions

Histology o The study of tissues

 Types of Tissues
Covering Fills internal spaces

Lines passageways Provides structural

support
Forms secretory
glands Stores energy

Epithelial Tissue Connective Tissue

Conducts electrical
Produces impulses
movement Carries information

Muscle Tissue Nervous Tissue

 Epithelial Tissue

Simple Epithelial Tissue Stratified Epithelial Tissue

Simple Squamous Epithelium Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium Keratinized Simple Columnar

Epithelium
Simple Columnar Epithelium
Non-keratinized Simple
Columnar Epithelium
Ciliated Simple Columnar
Epithelium
Stratified Cuboidal Epithelium
Non-ciliated Simple
Columnar Epithelium Stratified Columnar Epithelium
Characteristics of Epithelial Tissue
Epithelial Tissue
 Simple squamous epithelium

Passageway of the
kidneys
 Simple squamous epithelium

Inside the eye

 Simple squamous epithelium

Alveoli of the lungs

 Simple cuboidal epithelium

Follicle of the Covers the ovaries Lines the kidney

thyroid gland tubules
Lines the ducts of
certain glands
 Simple columnar epithelium

Ciliated Non-ciliated
o Bronchioles of respiratory tract o Epididymis

o Uterine tubes o Larger ducts of certain glands

o Uterus o Portions of male urethra

o Paranasal sinuses

o Central canal of spinal cord

o Ventricles of the brain

Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium
Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium
• Pseudostratified columnar epithelial cells commonly have cilia, which
extend from their free surfaces
• Goblet cells scattered throughout this tissue secrete mucus, which the
cilia sweep away
• Pseudostratified columnar epithelium lines the passages of the
respiratory system
• Here, the mucous-covered linings are sticky and trap dust and
microorganisms that enter with the air
• The cilia move the mucus and its captured particles upward and out of the
airways
 Stratified squamous epithelium

Surface of the skin Lining of the mouth Throat

Esophagus Rectum Anus Vagina

Keratinized Stratified Squamous Epithelium
Nonkeratinized Stratified Squamous Epithelium
Transitional Epithelium
o Specialized to change in
response to increased tension

o Forms the inner lining of the

urinary bladder & lines the
ureters & the superior urethra

o Forms a barrier that helps

prevent the contents of the
urinary tract from diffusing
back into the internal
environment
Stratified Cuboidal Epithelium
• Relatively rare
• Stratified cuboidal epithelium lines the ducts of the mammary glands,
sweat glands, salivary glands, and pancreas
• It also forms the lining of developing ovarian follicles and seminiferous
tubules, which are parts of the female and male reproductive systems,
respectively
Stratified Columnar Epithelium
• The superficial cells are elongated, whereas the basal layers consist of
cuboidal cells
• Stratified columnar epithelium is found in part of the male urethra and
lining the larger ducts of exocrine glands, salivary glands and pancreas
Glandular Epithelium
• Composed of cells specialized to produce and secrete substances into
ducts or into body fluids
• Such cells are usually found within columnar or cuboidal epithelium, and
one or more of these cells constitute a gland
• Glands that secrete their products into ducts that open onto surfaces,
such as the skin or the lining of the digestive tract, are called exocrine
glands
• Glands that secrete their products into tissue fluid or blood are called
endocrine glands
Connective Tissues

Specialized Cells

Extracellular
Protein Fibers
Matrix
Ground Substance
 Extracellular Protein Fibers

Types Proteins Major Characteristics

Collagen Fibers Collagen Grouped in long, parallel bundles; flexible

but only slightly elastic

Branching fibers; weaker than collagen fibers; easily

Elastic Fibers Elastin stretched or deformed; resume their original lengths and
shapes when the force acting upon them is removed

Highly branched and form delicate supporting

Reticular Fibers Thin Collagen Fibers
networks in a variety of tissues
 Connective Tissues

Loose Connective Tissue Dense Connective Tissue Specialized Connective

Tissue
Areolar Dense regular
Connective Tissue Connective Tissue Bone

Adipose Dense irregular Blood

Connective Tissue Connective Tissue Cartilage

Reticular Elastic Connective Hyaline Cartilage

Connective Tissue Tissue
Elastic Cartilage
Fibrocartilage
 Loose Connective Tissue

Tissue Cells contained Matrix Location in the Body

Areolar Fibroblasts Collagen & Elastic Subcutaneous in skin

Connective Tissue Fibers Underlies epidermis

Adipose Adipocytes Few collagen

Beneath skin; between
muscles; around kidneys;
Connective Tissue surface of heart

Reticular Fixed macrophages; Kidney; liver; spleen; lymph

fibroblasts
Reticular fibers
Connective Tissue nodes; bone marrow
 Dense Connective Tissue

Tissue Cells contained Matrix Location in the Body

Dense Regular Fibroblasts Collagen & Elastic Tendons; ligaments

Connective Tissue Fibers (Poor blood supply)

Dense Irregular Fibroblasts Collagen & Elastic Dermis of the skin

Connective Tissue fibers

Elastic Connective Collagen & Elastic Bones of spine; layers w/in

Fibroblasts
Tissue fibers walls of hollow organs
 Specialized Connective Tissue

Tissue Cells contained Matrix Location in the Body

Bone Osteocytes Collagen Fibers Skeleton

RBC; WBC;
Blood Plasma Body
Platelets

Cartilage Chondrocytes Different Fibers Lacunae

 Cartilage

Type of Cartilage Cells contained Matrix Location in the Body

Fine collagen Joints; soft part of the nose;

Hyaline Cartilage Chondrocytes fibers respiratory passages

Dense network of External ears; parts of

Elastic Cartilage Chondrocytes elastic fibers the larynx

Numerous Spinal column;

Fibrocartilage Chondrocytes collagen fibers knees; pelvic girdle
 Muscle Tissues

Contractile Consist of muscle fibers Movement

Skeletal Muscle Smooth Muscle Cardiac Muscle

 Muscle Tissues

Types Function Structure

Skeletal Voluntary Threadlike cells have alternating light and dark

cross-markings called striations

cells are shorter than those of skeletal muscle

Smooth Involuntary and are spindle-shaped, each with a single,
centrally located nucleus

Cardiac Involuntary striated and branched, joined end-to-end,

and interconnected in complex networks
Skeletal Muscle
Smooth Muscle
Cardiac Muscle
Nervous Tissue
• Found in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves
• Basic cells are called neurons, and they are highly specialized
Neuron
Summary
• Four types of tissues: epithelial; connective; muscular; nervous tissues
• Epithelial tissues are classified based on cell shape and number of layers
• Connective tissues are categorized as loose, dense or specialized
connective tissue
• Connective tissues contain cells, fibers and ground substance
• Muscle tissues have three types
• Nervous tissues are consist of neurons found in the brain, spinal cord,
and peripheral nerves
References
• McKinley, M., O’Loughlin, D. & Bidle, T. (2016). Anatomy & Physiology: An
Integrative Approach (2nd Ed.). McGraw-Hill Ed. USA
• Karp, G. (2010). Cell and Molecular Biology. Hoboken, New Jersey, United
States of America: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.