Chapter 4
Tissue: The Living Fabric
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4.1 Tissue samples are fixed, sliced, and
stained for microscopy
Histology: microscopic study of tissues
The four main types (groups) of tissues:
Epithelial
Connective
Muscle
Nervous
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4.2 Epithelial tissue covers body
surfaces, lines cavities, and forms
glands
The defining or unifying characteristics of
epithelial tissues: they are the covering, lining
and glandular tissues
A. Special Characteristics of Epithelium
1. Exhibits polarity: consists of an apical surface
and a basal surface
2. Supported by connective tissue : a basement
membrane
3. Avascular but innervated 3
B. Classification of Epithelia
By number of layers of cells
Simple- one layer of cells
Stratified- two or more layers of tissue
Pseudostratified- tissue appears to be stratified,
but all cells contact basement membrane so it is
in fact simple
By shape of cells
Squamous- flat, scale-like
Cuboidal- about equal in height and width
Columnar- taller than wide
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Classification of Epithelial Tissues
Type of cell One layer 2 or more layers
Squamous Simple squamous Stratified squamous
Cuboidal Simple cuboidal Stratified cuboidal
Columnar Simple columnar Stratified columnar
Pseudostratified
Columnar
Transitional epithelium
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C. Simple Epithelia
1. Simple Squamous Epithelium
Location:
a) forming the wall of pulmonary alveoli
b) Lining the inside of blood vessels
(endothelium)
c) forming serous membranes (mesothelium)
Function:
a) Diffusion
b) Reduction of friction 6
2. Simple Cuboidal Epithelium
Location: lining the ducts and secretory
portions of glands; lining kidney tubules
Function: absorption and secretion
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3. Simple Columnar Epithelium
Location: gastrointestinal tract (GIT) from stomach
through rectum
Function: absorption and secretion
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4. Pseudostratified Ciliated Columnar
Epithelium
Location: mainly found in most of upper
respiratory tract
Function: secretion and movement of mucus
by ciliary action away from the lungs
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D. Stratified Epithelia
1. Stratified squamous epithelium
Cuboidal to columnar cells at the basal surface, which
become squamous as it advances to the apical surface
Location:
a) superficial layer of the skin (epidermis) lining the
mouth and the vagina, and the anus
Function: Protection
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4.3 Connective tissue is the most
abundant and widely distributed
tissue in the body
The defining or unifying characteristic of
connective tissues: they are the tissues of
attachment and support
A. Comon characteristics of connective tissues
1. Have several degrees of vascularity (ex:
cartilage and tendon)
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B. Structural Elements of Connective
Tissue
1) Ground Substance: consists mainly of
interstitial fluid, cell adhesion proteins and
proteoglycans
2) Protein fibers
a) Collagen: extremely tough; provide tensile
strength
b) Elastic. Made of elastin. Returns to its original
shape after distension or compression.
c) Reticular: fine collagenous, form branching
networks
3) Cells: mature and immature cells, mast cells and
white blood cells (WBCs)
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C. Types of Connective Tissue
1. Adipose Tissue
Consists mainly (90%) of specialized cells known
as adipocytes capable of storing triglycerides (fat)
Location: subcutaneous layers of skin, surrounding
heart and kidneys, makes up yellow bone marrow,
padding around joints and behind the eyeballs in
eye sockets
Function: energy reserve, support, protection and
insulation
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2. Cartilage
Cartilage is composed of a network of
collagen and elastic fibers
The mature cells of cartilage are called
chondrocytes and are located within spaces known
as lacunae
There are three types of cartilage:
1) Hyaline cartilage
2) Fibrocartilage
3) Elastic cartilage
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Function: its main function is support
Location: costal cartilage, nose,
articular cartilage, trachea and larynx
3. Bone (Osseous tissue)
Hard connective tissue composed of living
cells, called osteocytes enclosed in lacunae
throughout a mineralized matrix
Matrix: gives strength and rigidity; it consists of
organic collagen fibers and a mineral
(inorganic) called hydroxyapetite (Ca plus PO4)
Location: the skeletal system
Function: protection and support
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4. Blood
The most atypical connective tissue. Its a
connective tissue with a liquid matrix
The cellular components are:
a) Red blood cells
b) White blood cells
c) Platelets
The fibers (fibrin fibers) are scant and only
visible when blood clots 17
Location: found in the blood vessels all
over the body
Functions:
1) Transports gases (O2 and CO2), nutrients
and hormones
2) Protects from infections
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4.4 Muscle tissue is responsible for
body movement
The defining or unifying characteristic of
muscle tissues: these are the tissues capable of
contracting and generating force and movement
Fuction: movement (voluntary and involuntary)
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Types and location:
1) Skeletal: most attached to skeleton (ordinary
muscle). It is striated and voluntary
2) Cardiac: muscle of the heart. Striated and
involuntary.
3) Smooth: muscle associated within tubular structures.
Present in the walls of blood vessels, the
gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and urinary bladder.
Nonstriated and involuntary.
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4.5 Nervous tissue is a specialized
tissue of the nervous system
Function and general characteristic:
This is the tissue capable of generating and
conducting nerve impulses
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Location: the nervous system: the brain and
the spinal cord
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4.6 The cutaneous membrane is dry;
mucous and serous membranes are wet
1. Cutaneous Membrane: the skin
2. Mucous
Line cavities that open to the outside of body
Consists of epithelium with goblet cells
Found in respiratory, digestive, urinary and
reproductive systems.
3. Serous. simple squamous epithelium called
mesothelium,
Line pericardial, pleural, and peritoneal cavities
4. Synovial
Line freely movable joints
Produce fluid rich in hyaluronic acid
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