TISSUES

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Description and Location

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

Structure

Function

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

EPITHELIAL TISSUES

DID YOU KNOW

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

Description

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

Structure

Location

Epithelia tissue forms boundaries between different environments, and nearly all substances must
pass through the epithelium.

Function

Protection for the underlying tissues from radiation, desiccation, toxins, and physical trauma.

Absorption of substances in the digestive tract lining with distinct modifications.

Regulation and excretion of chemicals between the underlying tissues and the body cavity.

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

Simple squamous epithelium

Description

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

Structure

Location

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

Function

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

Simple cuboidal epithelium

Description

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

Structure

Location

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

Function

Secretes and absorbs

Simple columnar epithelium

Description

Simple columnar epithelium is a single row of tall, closely packed cells, aligned in a row. They
possess cellular extensions (e.g., microvilli in the small intestine, or the cilia found almost exclusively in the
female reproductive tract).

Structure

Location

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

Function
 Absorbs; it also secretes mucous and enzymes.

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium

Description

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

Pseudostratified epithelium can also possess fine hair-like extensions of their apical (luminal)
membrane called cilia. In this case, the epithelium is described as ciliated pseudostratified epithelium.

Structure

Location

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

Function

Secrete mucous; ciliated tissue moves mucous

Stratified squamous epithelium

Description

consists of squamous (flattened) epithelial cells arranged in layers upon a basal membrane. Only
one layer is in contact with the basement membrane; the other layers adhere to one another to maintain
structural integrity.

Structure

Location

Lines the esophagus, mouth, and vagina

Function

Protects against abrasion

Stratified cuboidal epithelium

Description

is a type of epithelial tissue composed of multiple layers of cube-shaped cells. Only the most
superficial layer is made up of cuboidal cells, and the other layers can be cells of other types.

Structure

Location
 Sweat glands, salivary glands, and mammary glands

Function

Protective tissue

Stratified columnar epithelium

Description

is a rare type of epithelial tissue composed of column shaped cells arranged in multiple layers.
Stratified columnar epithelia are found in the conjunctiva of the eye, in parts of the pharynx, anus, the
uterus, and the male urethra and vas deferens.

Structure

Location

The male urethra and the ducts of some glands.

Function

Secretes and protects

Transitional epithelium

Description

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

Structure

Location

Lines the bladder, urethra and ureters

Function

Allows the urinary organs to expand and stretch

MUSCULAR TISSUES

Description and Location

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

Function

Muscle tissue can be classified functionally, voluntary or involuntary and morphologically striated
or non-striated. Voluntary refers to whether the muscle is under conscious control, striation refers to the
presence of visible banding within myocytes which occurs due to organization of myofibrils to produce a
constant direction of tension.

Skeletal Muscle

Description

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

Structure

Location

Skeletal muscles and some epithelial tissue.

Function

Skeletal muscle is under voluntary control, although this can be subconscious for example when
maintaining posture or balance. Morphologically skeletal myocytes are elongated and tubular and
appear striated with multiple peripheral nuclei

Cardiac Muscle Tissue

Description

As with skeletal muscle cardiac muscle is striated, however it is not consciously controlled and so is
involuntary. Cardiac muscle can be further differentiated from skeletal muscle by the presence of
intercalated discs which control the synchronized contraction of cardiac tissues. Cardiac myocytes are
shorter than skeletal equivalents and contain only one or two centrally located nuclei.

Structure

Location

Found only in the heart

Function

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

Smooth Muscle Tissue

Description
 Smooth muscle is non-striated, although it contains the same myofilaments they are just organized
differently, and involuntary. Smooth muscle myocytes are spindle shaped with a single centrally located
nucleus.

Structure

Location

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

Function

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

CONNECTIVE TISSUE

Description and Location

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

3 Main Components

Ground substance

Fibers

Cells

Three types of fibers are found in connective tissue:

Collagen

Elastic fibers

Reticular fibers

Structure

Function

Connective tissue is incredibly diverse and contributes to energy storage, the protection of organs,
and the body’s structural integrity.

Binding and supporting.

Protecting.
 Insulating.

Storing reserve fuel.

Transporting substances within the body.

Adipose Connective Tissue

Description

Structure

Location

Function

Dense Regular Connective Tissue

Description

This is loose connective tissue composed of adipocytes. It is technically composed of roughly only
80% fat.

Structure

Location

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

Function

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

Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

Description

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

Structure

Location

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

Function

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

Description

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

Structure

Location

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

Function

It provides strong support while providing pads for shock absorption.

Fluid Connective Tissue

Description

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

Structure

Location

Blood

Function

Blood is a bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances, such as nutrients and oxygen,
to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells.

NERVOUS TISSUE

Description and Location

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

Structure

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

Neuroglia

Description

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

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

Structure

Location

Neuroglia exceed the number of neurons in the nervous system by at least 10 to 1. Neuroglia exist
in the nervous systems of invertebrates as well as vertebrates

Function

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

Neurons

Description

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

Structure

Location

Nervous system CNS and PNS

Function

processes and transmits information by electro-chemical signalling.