BODY TISSUES
By MISS T. GONDWE
INTRODUCTION
a tissue is an organization of many similar cells with varying amounts
and kinds of non-living, intercellular substance between them.
A tissue is a group of cells that have similar structure and that
function together as a unit.
A non-living material, known as the intercellular matrix, fills the
spaces between the cells.
TYPES OF TISSUES IN THE BODY
Epithelial Tissue
Connective Tissue
Muscle Tissue
Nervous Tissue
Epithelial tissues
Epithelial tissues are found throughout the body.
They form the covering of all body surfaces, line body cavities and
hollow organs and are the major tissues found in glands.
They perform a variety of functions that include protection, secretion,
absorption, excretion, filtration, diffusion, and sensory reception.
Simple squamous
Squamous cells have the appearance of thin, flat plates (pavement
appearance).
They fit closely together in tissues, thereby providing a smooth, low-
friction surface over which fluids can move easily.
The shape of the nucleus usually corresponds to the cell form and helps
to identify the type of epithelium.
Classically, squamous epithelia line surfaces that utilize simple passive
diffusion, such as the alveolar epithelium in the lungs.
Simple cuboidal epithelium
cuboidal cells are roughly cuboidal in shape, appearing square
(hexagonal) in cross section.
Each cell has a spherical nucleus in the centre.
Cuboidal epithelium is commonly found in secretive or absorptive
tissue, for example, the (secretive) exocrine gland which is part of the
pancreas, and the (absorptive) lining of the kidney tubules as well as in
the ducts of the glands.
This type of epithelial tissue is actively involved in secretion, absorption
and excretion.
Simple columnar epithelium
Columnar epithelial cells are elongated and column-shaped (rectangular).
Their nuclei are elongated and are usually located near the base of the cells.
Columnar epithelium forms the lining of the stomach and intestines.
Some columnar cells are specialized for sensory reception such as in the nose,
ears and the taste buds of the tongue.
Goblet cells (unicellular glands) are found between the columnar epithelial cells
of the duodenum.
They secrete mucus, which acts as a lubricant
Pseudostratified or simple ciliated
columnar epithelium
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.
Pseudo-stratified epithelium can also possess fine hair-like
extensions of their apical (luminal) membrane called cili
Pseudostratified or simple ciliated
columnar epithelium
Ciliated epithelium is found in the airways (nose, bronchi), but is also
found in the uterus and Fallopian tubes of females, where the cilia
propel the ovum to the uterus
Stratified epithelium
Stratified epithelium differs from simple epithelium in that it is multi-
layered.
It is the thickest and is found where body lining has to withstand
mechanical or chemical abrasion.
Stratified epithelia (of columnar, cuboidal or squamous type) can
have the following specializations:
Keratinized: in this case, the most apical layers (exterior) of the
cells die and lose their nucleus and cytoplasm.
The remaining layer contains a tough, resistant protein called
keratin.
This specialization makes the epithelium waterproof and is found in
the mammalian skin.
The lining of the esophagus is an example of a non-keratinized or
"moist" stratified epithelium.
Transitional epithelium
like the pseudo stratified epithelium, it is almost in a class of its own.
It is found in tissues that stretch.
It can appear to be stratified cuboidal when the tissue is not stretched
or stratified squamous when the organ is distended and the tissue is
stretched.
It is sometimes called the urothelium since it is almost exclusively
found in the bladder, ureters and urethra.
Connective Tissue
Connective Tissue
Connective tissues bind structures together, form a framework and
support for organs and the body as a whole,
Connective tissue cells are able to reproduce but not as rapidly as
epithelial cells.
Most connective tissues have a good blood supply but some do not
The types of connective tissue include loose connective tissue, adipose
tissue, dense fibrous connective tissue, elastic connective tissue,
cartilage, osseous tissue (bone), and blood.
MUSCLE TISSUE
Muscle tissue is composed of cells that have the special ability to
shorten or contract in order to produce movement of the body parts.
The tissue is highly cellular and is well supplied with blood vessels.
Muscle tissue can be categorized into skeletal muscle tissue, smooth
muscle tissue, and cardiac muscle tissue.
NERVOUS TISSUE
Nervous tissue is found in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. It is
responsible for coordinating and controlling many body activities.
It stimulates muscle contraction, creates an awareness of the
environment, and plays a major role in emotions, memory, and
reasoning.
To do all these things, cells in nervous tissue need to be able to
communicate with each other by way of electrical nerve impulses.
THE END
