Anatomy & physiology Lec.(2) MLT.

1st stage

Tissue of the body

Tissue is a group of similar cell and their intercellular substance that have a similar
embryological origin and function together to perform a specialized activity. A science that
deals with the study of a tissue is Histology.
Types of the tissue

There are several major types of tissues. The most common types are:
1-Epithelial tissue
2-Connective tissue
3-Muscle tissue
4-Nervous tissues
Epithelial tissue
Epithelial tissue is tissue that covers surfaces, lines cavities and form glands. Epithelial tissue
covers the outer surface of the body. It lines the intestines, the lungs, and other hollow organs.
-Covering & lining epithelium
- Glandular epithelium

Types of epithelial cell

According to the arrangement of layers covering and lining epithelium is grouped in to:
a) Simple epithelium: it is specialized for absorption, and filtration with minimal wear &
tear. It is a single layered
b) Stratified epithelium, it is many layered and found in an area with high degree of wear &
tear.
c) Pseudo-stratified, is a single layered but seem to have many layer.
Based on the cell shape covering and lining epithelium is grouped in to:
a) Squamous: - flattened & scale like
b) Cuboidal: - cube shaped
c) Columnar: - tall & cylindrical
d) Transitional: - combination of cell shape found where there is a great degree of
distention or expansion, these may be cuboidal to columnar, cuboidal to polyhydral and
cuboidal to Squamous .
Anatomy & physiology Lec.(2) MLT. 1st stage
Anatomy & physiology Lec.(2) MLT. 1st stage

Glandular Epithelium
Their main function is secretion. A gland may consist of one cell or a group of highly
specialized epithelial cell. Glands can be classified into exocrine and endocrine according to
where they release their secretion.
Exocrine: Those glands that empties their secretion in to ducts/tubes that empty at the
surface of covering. Sweat & salivary glands are exocrine glands.
Endocrine: They ultimately secret their products into the blood system, such as pancreas
Anatomy & physiology Lec.(2) MLT. 1st stage

Connective tissue

Connective tissue is tissue that supports other tissues, holds tissues together, or fills spaces.

Types of connective tissue

There are several major types of connective tissue (CT). These include
1-Connective tissue proper
2-Cartilage connective tissue
3- Osseous connective tissue (bone)
4-Vascular (Blood) is sometimes considered an additional type of connective tissue

Connective tissue proper

-Loose (areolar) Connective tissue: It supports tissues, organ blood vessels & nerves. It also

forms subcutaneous layer/superficial fascia/hypodermis

- Adipose connective tissue: around the kidney, at the base and on the surface of the heart
- Dense (Collagenous) connective tissue: tendons and ligament
- Elastic connective tissue: They are components of wall of arteries, trachea, bronchial tubes & lungs
- Reticular connective tissue (It helps to form a delicate supporting storma for many organs including
liver, spleen and lymph nodes. It also helps to bind together the fibers (cells) of smooth muscle tissue.)

Cartilage connective tissue

Cartilages are classified in to hyaline, fibro & elastic cartilage
Hyaline cartilage found at joints over long bones
Fibro cartilage found inter-vertebral discs and knee
Elastic cartilage epiglottis, larynx, external part of the ear

Osseous connective tissue (bone)

Divided in to compact and spongy bone
Anatomy & physiology Lec.(2) MLT. 1st stage
Anatomy & physiology Lec.(2) MLT. 1st stage

Muscle tissue
There are muscle tissues and there are organs called muscles. Muscles are made up of muscle
tissues. Muscle tissues and the muscles they make up are specialized to contract. Because of
their ability to shorten (contract), muscles are able to produce motion.

Types of muscle tissue

See below figure for the three types of muscle tissue.
a. Skeletal Muscle Tissue. The cells (muscle fibers) of skeletal muscle tissue
are long and cylindrical and have numerous nuclei. The arrangement of the cellular contents is
very specific and results in a striated appearance when viewed with the microscope. This type of
muscle tissue is found mainly in the skeletal muscles

b. Cardiac Muscle Tissue. The cells (muscle fibers) of cardiac muscle tissue
are short, branched, contain one nucleus, and are striated. This tissue makes up the myocardium
(wall) of the heart.
c. Smooth Muscle Tissue. The cells (muscle fibers) of smooth muscle tissue
Anatomy & physiology Lec.(2) MLT. 1st stage

are spindle-shaped, contain one nucleus, and are not striated. Smooth muscle tissue is generally
found in the walls of hollow organs such as the organs of the digestive and respiratory systems,
the blood vessels, the ureters, urinary bladder, urethra, and reproductive ducts.

Nervous tissue
Nervous tissue is a collection of cells that respond to stimuli and transmit information.
a. A neuron (figure 2-4), or nerve cell, is the cell of the nervous tissue that
actually picks up and transmits a signal from one part of the body to another. A synapse (figure 2-
5) is the point at which a signal passes from one neuron to the next.
b. The neuroglia (also known as glia) is made up of the supporting cells of the nervous system
(glial cells).
c. The nervous tissues
Anatomy & physiology Lec.(2) MLT. 1st stage