Tissue Types
GPS Standards
SAP1. Students will analyze anatomical
structures in relationship to their
physiological functions.
e.
Describe how structure and function are related in
terms of cell and tissue types.
Learning Goals
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
 Relate structure and function to tissue types.
 List the four major tissue types.
 Describe the structure, location, and function of
subcategories from the four major tissue types.
Medical Terminology
Define the following prefixes,
suffixes, and roots:
Use prefixes, suffixes, and roots
to define the following:
 a-

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






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 uni –
 multi –
 pseudo –
 histo epi –
 column –
 cuboid –
 osseous –
 nucleate –
 squamous –
 stratify –
 villi-
prefix
suffix
avascular
binucleate
columnar epithelium
cuboidal epithelium
microvilli
multinucleate
peripheral protein
pseudostratified
osseous tissue
squamous epithelium
stratified squamous epithelium
root
Key Terms
 Histology:
 the study of tissues
 Tissues:
 groups of cells which are similar in
structure and which perform common or
related functions
Four Basic Kinds of Tissues
Epithelial Tissue
Connective Tissue
Muscle Tissue
Nervous Tissue
Epithelial Tissue
Epithelial Tissue Description
and Locations:
 Description
 Has one free surface (not
attached to another tissue)
 Has a basement membrane
that is attached to connective
tissue
 Location
 Covers the body; has one
unattached surface
 Lines the cavities, tubes, ducts
and blood vessels inside the
body
 Covers the organs inside body
cavities
Epithelial Tissue Functions:
 Protection from physical &
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chemical injury,
Protection against microbial
invasion,
Contains receptors which
respond to stimuli,
Filters, secretes & reabsorbs
materials and
Secretes serous fluids to
lubricate structures.
Squamous Epithelium
Simple Squamous





Stratified Squamous
Simple – a single layer
squamous – flat
Lines alveoli of lungs,
which allows the
passive transport of
gases.
Stratified – several
layers
Forms the epidermis of
the skin
Cuboidal Epithelium
Cuboid Cells
 Simple – one cell thick
 Roughly cube shaped
Duct

Cuboid Cells
Duct
Line ducts in kidneys,
etc, where
reabsorption and
secretory activities
take place.
Columnar Epithelium
 Simple – one cell thick
 Column shaped (long
& narrow)
 Line digestive tract
where reabsorption &
secretion occurs.

Pseudostratified –
gives the appearance
of more than one
layer of columnar
epithelial cells
Connective Tissue
Connective Tissue Description
and Location:
 Description
 Most diverse group of tissue
 Composed of various fibers
 Location
 Everywhere - Most abundant
& widely distributed tissue
Connective Tissue Functions:
 Connects, binds and supports
structures (tendons,
ligaments, cartilage, etc.)
 Protects organs and tissues
(bone)
 Cushions and insulates (fat)
 Transports substances
(blood)
Connective – Dense White Fibrous
 Strap-like, dense, white

Binds bone to bone
(ligaments) or muscle
to bone (tendons
Connective – Hyaline Cartilage

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Supports while
providing flexibility
Absorbs compression
between bones in
joints (articular
cartilage)
Holds open respiratory
passages
Most abundant type of
cartilage in body
Connective – Bone (Osseous)
 Tree ring-like
appearance




Supports & protects
Mineral storage
Fat storage
Blood cell production
Connective - Adipose
 Honeycomb or
chickenwire
appearance



Stores energy (fat)
Insulates
Supports & protects
organs
Connective - Blood
 Only fluid connective
tissue


Removes wastes from
cells
Supplies nutrients and
oxygen to cells
Muscle Tissue
Muscle Tissue Location:
Muscle Tissue Functions:
 Description
 May be striated or smooth,
branched or unbranched,
cylindrical or spindle-shaped
depending on type
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 Location
 There are three types based
on location
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Skeletal – associated with
bones of the skeleton
Smooth – found in the walls
of hollow organs
Cardiac – found in the heart
Movement
Locomotion
Maintains posture
Produces heat
Facial expressions
Pumps blood
Peristalsis
Muscle Tissue - Skeletal
 Muscle fibers (cells)
long, parallel &
cylindrical
 With many nuclei
(multinucleate)

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

Striations (cross
stripes run
perpendicular to the
cells
Produce voluntary
movement
Locomotion
Heat
Muscle Tissue - Smooth
 Spindle-shaped cells
with central nuclei
 Arranged to form
sheets
 No striations


Pushes substances or
objects (food, urine,
babies) through
passageways
Involuntary control
Muscle Tissue - Cardiac
 Branching, striated,
uninucleate with
special intercalated
discs
branches


Contracts to propel
blood into circulation
Involuntary control
Intercalated disc
Nervous Tissue
Nervous Tissue Description and
Location:
 Description
 Large cell body that contains
the nucleus, which is
attached by long processes
 Location
 Main component of the
nervous system,
ie., brain, spinal cord & nerves.
Nervous Tissue Functions:
 Regulates & controls body
functions
 Generates & transmits nerve
impulses
 Supports, insulates and
protects impulse generating
neurons.
Nervous Tissue – Neuron



Branching cells with
many long processes
Large central nucleus
Regulates activities by
transmitting impulses
from one area of the
body to another
Resource
 Adapted from the Anatomy PowerPoint of J. A.
Giacobbe, South Pointe High School, Phoenix, AZ
 To view slides of human tissue see the Central Ohio
Technical College website, Human Biology Slide
Review
http://www.newarkcolleges.com/kponto/4081Slides/in
dex.htm