Tissue

Tissue is a cellular organizational level

intermediate between cells and a complete
organism. The study of tissue is known as
histology or, in connection with disease,
histopathology.

Based on morphology, tissues can be grouped

into four basic types.

A. Epithelium
Epithelium lines both the outside (skin) and
the inside cavities and lumen of bodies such as
the skin, the airways, and the digestive tract.
Many glands are also formed from epithelial
tissue. It serves functions of protection,
secretion, and absorption, and is separated
from other tissues.

Classification
Epithelial cells are classified as:

Squamous: All Squamous cells are flat cells with

an irregular shape. A one-cell layer of simple
squamous epithelium forms the alveoli of the
respiratory membrane, and the endothelium of
capillaries. These cells are associated with the
diffusion of water, electrolytes, and other
substances.
Cuboidal: As the name suggests, these cells
have a shape similar to a cube, meaning its
width is the same size as its height. The nuclei
of these cells are usually located in the center.
The cuboidal epithelium forms the smallest
duct glands and many kidney tubules.

Columnar: These cells are taller than they are

wide. Simple columnar epithelium is made up
of a single layer of cells that are longer than
they are wide. The nucleus is also closer to the
base of the cell. The small intestine is a tubular
organ lined with this type of tissue. Unicellular
glands called goblet cells are scattered
throughout the simple columnar epithelial cells
and secrete mucus. The free surface of the
columnar cell has tiny hairlike projections
called microvilli. They increase the surface
area for absorption.

Transitional: This is a specialized type of

epithelium found lining organs that can
stretch, such as the urothelium that lines the
bladder and ureter of mammals. Since the cells
can slide over each other, the appearance of
this epithelium depends on whether the organ
is distended or contracted: if distended, it
appears as if there are only a few layers; when
contracted, it appears as if there are several
layers.

Stratification:
Simple: There is a single layer of cells.
Stratified:More than one layer of cells. The
superficial layer is used to classify the layer.
Only one layer touches the basal lamina.
Stratified cells can usually withstand large
amounts of stress.

Pseudostratified: There is only a single layer of

cells, with each cell touching the basal lamina
directly. However, without careful observation,
the location of the nuclei within the cells may
give the impression that the epithelium is
stratified. For example, the epithelium lining
the bronchi in mammals is pseudostratified
epithelium.

Specializations
1. Keratinized: Cells contain keratin (a
cytoskeletal protein). While keratinized
epithelium occurs mainly in the skin.
2. Ciliated: Additionally, the structure of the
cilia found on ciliated epithelial cells.
The outermost layer of our skin is composed of
dead stratified squamous, keratinized
epithelial cells. Tissue that line the inside of
the mouth, the esophagus, and part of the
rectum are composed of nonkeratinized
stratified squamous epithelium. Other sufaces
that separate body cavities from the outside
environment are lined by simple squamous,
columnar, or pseudostatified epithelial cells.

Secretory epithelia
There are two major classification of glands:
endocrine glands and exocrine glands.
Endocrine glands are glands that secrete their
product directly onto a surface rather than
through a duct. This group contains the glands
of the Endocrine system

B. Connective tissue
Connective tissue is comprised of cells
separated by non-living material, which is
called extracellular matrix. Connective tissue
holds other tissues together such as in the
formation of organs, and has the ability to
stretch and contract passively. Bone and blood
are examples of specialized connective tissues.

1.Involved in structure and support.

2.Derived from mesoderm, usually.
3.Characterized largely by the traits of non-
living tissue.
 4. Collagen is the main protein of connective
tissue.

Classification
The old classification system for connective
tissue is proper versus specilized. There has
been a new classifications system proposed,
however, and it is as follows:

Loose connective tissue

1. Areolar 2. Adipose 3. Reticular

Dense connective tissue

1. Regular 2. Irregular 3. Elastic

Cartilage

1. Hyaline 2. Fibrocartila 3. Elastic

ge

Other

1. Bone 3. Lymphatics
2. Blood

Connective tissue proper

Specialized connective tissues

Specialized connective tissues

• Blood functions in transport. Its

extracellular matrix is blood plasma, which
transports dissolved nutrients, hormones,
and carbon dioxide in the form of
bicarbonate. The main cellular component
is red blood cells.
• Bone makes up virtually the entire skeleton
in adult vertebrates.
• Cartilage makes up virtually the entire
skeleton in chondrichthyes. In most other
vertebrates, it is found primarily in joints,
where it provides cushioning. The
extracellular matrix of cartilage is
composed primarily of collagen.
• Adipose tissue contains adipocytes, used
for cushioning, thermal insulation,
lubrication (primarily in the pericardium)
and energy storage.
• Reticular connective tissue is a network of
reticular fibres (fine collagen, type III) that
form a soft skeleton to support the
lymphoid organs (lymph nodes, bone
marrow, and spleen.)
Fiber types
Fiber types as follows:

• Collagenous • Elastic Fibers

Fibers • Reticular Fibers

C. Muscle
Muscle cells form the active contractile tissue
of the body known as muscle tissue. Muscle
tissue functions to produce force and cause
motion, either locomotion or movement within
internal organs.

Muscle tissue is separated into three distinct

categories:

1. visceral or smooth muscle: which is found

in the inner linings of organs;
2. skeletal muscle: which is found attached to
bone providing for gross movement and
3. cardiac muscle: which is found in the heart,
allowing it to contract and pump blood
throughout an organism.

Classification:

There are three types of muscle.

• Skeletal muscle or "voluntary muscle" is

anchored by tendons to bone and is used
to affect skeletal movement such as
locomotion and in maintaining posture. An
average adult male is made up of 40–50%
of skeletal muscle and an average adult
 female is made up of 30–40% (as a
percentage of body mass).
• Smooth muscle or "involuntary muscle" is
found within the walls of organs and
structures such as the esophagus,
stomach, intestines, bronchi, uterus,
urethra, bladder, blood vessels. Unlike
skeletal muscle, smooth muscle is not
under conscious control.

• Cardiac muscle is also an "involuntary

muscle" but is more akin in structure to
skeletal muscle, and is found only in the

Skeletal Muscle Smooth Muscles Cardiac Muscles

heart.

D. Nervous tissue
Cells comprising the central
nervous system and peripheral
nervous system are classified
as neural tissue. In the central
nervous system, neural tissue
forms the brain, cranial nerves
and spinal cord and, in the peripheral nervous
system, peripheral nerves inclusive of the
motor neurons.

Structure of a Motor Neuron

A motor neuron has many processes
(cytoplasmic extensions), called dendrites,
which enter a large, grey cell body at one end.
A single process, the axon, leaves at the other
end, extending towards the dendrites of the
next neuron or to form a motor endplate in a
muscle. Dendrites are usually short and
divided while the axons are very long and does
not branch freely.

Classification
On the basis of their structure, neurons can
also be classified into three main types:

1.Unipolar Neurons

Sensory neurons have only a single process or

fibre which divides close to the cell body into
two main branches (axon and dendrite).
Because of their structure they are often
referred to as unipolar neurons.

2.Multipolar Neurons

Motor neurons, which have numerous cell

processes (an axon and many dendrites) are
often referred to as multipolar neurons.
Interneurons are also multipolar.

3.Bipolar Neurons
Bipolar neurons are spindle-shaped, with a
dendrite at one end and an axon at the other .
An example can be found in the light-sensitive
retina of the eye.
Examples
System Tissue Epithelium Subtype
circulatory blood vessels Simple squamouis endothelium
ducts of submandibular
digestive Stratified columnar -
glands
Stratified squamous,
digestive attached gingiva -
keratinized
Stratified squamous,
digestive dorsum of tongue -
keratinized
Stratified squamous,
digestive hard palate -
keratinized
 Stratified squamous, non-
digestive oesophagus -
keratinised
Simple columnar, non-
digestive stomach -
ciliated
Simple columnar, non- intestinal
digestive small intestine
ciliated epithelium
Simple columnar, non- intestinal
digestive large intestine
ciliated epithelium
Stratified squamous, non-
digestive rectum -
keratinised
Stratified squamous,
digestive anus -
keratinised
Simple columnar, non-
digestive gallbladder -
ciliated
endocrine thyroid follicles Simple cuboidal -
nervous ependyma Simple cuboidal -
lymphatic lymph vessel Simple squamous endothelium
skin - dead superficial Stratified squamous,
integumentary -
layer keratinized
integumentary sweat gland ducts Stratified cuboidal -
mesothelium of body
integumentary Simple squamous mesothelium
cavities
germinal
reproductive -
ovaries Simple cuboidal epithelium
female
(female)
reproductive -
Fallopian tubes Simple columnar, ciliated -
female
reproductive -
uterus Simple columnar, ciliated -
female
reproductive -
endometrium Simple columnar -
female
reproductive -
cervix (endocervix) Simple columnar -
female
reproductive - Stratified squamous, non-
cervix (ectocervix) -
female keratinised
reproductive - Stratified squamous, non-
vagina -
female keratinised
reproductive - Stratified squamous,
labia majora -
female keratinised
germinal
reproductive - male tubuli recti Simple cuboidal
epithelium (male)
reproductive - male rete testis Simple cuboidal -
reproductive - male ductuli efferentes Pseudostratified columnar -
reproductive - male epididymis Pseudostratified -
 columnar, with stereocilia
reproductive - male vas deferens Pseudostratified columnar -
reproductive - male ejaculatory duct Simple columnar -
reproductive - male
bulbourethral glands Simple columnar -
(gland)
reproductive - male
seminal vesicle Pseudostratified columnar -
(gland)
Stratified squamous, non-
respiratory oropharynx -
keratinised
Pseudostratified respiratory
respiratory larynx
columnar, ciliated epithelium
larynx - True Vocal Stratified squamous, non-
respiratory -
Cords keratinised
Pseudostratified respiratory
respiratory trachea
columnar, ciliated epithelium
respiratory respiratory bronchioles Simple cuboidal -
Stratified squamous, non-
sensory cornea corneal epithelium
keratinised
olfactory
sensory nose Pseudostratified columnar
epithelium
kidney - proximal
urinary Simple columnar, ciliated -
convoluted tubule
kidney - ascending thin
urinary Simple squamous -
limb
kidney - distal Simple columnar, non-
urinary -
convoluted tubule ciliated
kidney - collecting
urinary Simple cuboidal -
duct
urinary renal pelvis Transitional urothelium
urinary ureter Transitional urothelium
urinary urinary bladder Transitional urothelium
urinary prostatic urethra Transitional urothelium
Pseudstratified columnar,
urinary membranous urethra -
non-ciliated
Pseudostratified
urinary penile urethra -
columnar, non-ciliated
external urethral
urinary Stratified squamous -
orifice