Tissues

By: Ruth Abigail C. Valdez BSN, RN

 Tissues
• groups of cell that work together. A tissue is a group of
cells that usually have a common origin in an embryo and
function together to carry out specialized activities.

• Tissues may be hard, semisolid, or even liquid in their

consistency, a range exemplified by bone, fat, and blood.

• Histology- the science that deals with the study of

tissues.
• Pathologist- is a physician who examines cells and
tissues to help other physicians make accurate diagnoses.
 4 BASIC TYPE OF TISSUES

1. Epithelial tissue- covers

body surfaces and lines
hollow organs, body
cavities, and ducts; it also
forms glands. This tissue
allows the body to interact
with both its internal and
external environments.
2. Connective tissue
protects and supports the
body and its organs.
Various types of connective
tissues bind organs
together, store energy
reserves as fat, and help
provide the body with
immunity to disease-causing
organisms.
3. Muscular tissue is composed
of cells specialized for
contraction and generation of
force (movements). In the
process, muscular tissue
generates heat that warms the
body.
4. Nervous tissue detects
changes in a variety of
conditions inside and
outside the body and
responds by generating
electrical signals called
nerve action potentials
(nerve impulses) that
activate muscular
contractions and glandular
secretions.
 Cell Junctions

>are contact points between the plasma membranes of tissue cells.

5 Cell Junctions
a. Tight junctions- seal off passageways between adjacent cells
b. Adherens junctions- attaches both to membrane proteins and
to microfilaments of the cytoskeleton
c. Desmosomes- contain plaque and have transmembrane
glycoproteins. Attaches to elements of the cytoskeleton known as
intermediate filaments
d. Hemidesmosomes- anchor cells not to each other but to the
basement membrane.
e. Gap junctions- form tiny fluid-filled tunnels called connexons
that connect neighboring cells
Facts

A biopsy is the removal of a

sample of living tissue for
microscopic examination.
This procedure is used to
help diagnose many
disorders, especially cancer,
and to discover the cause of
unexplained infections and
inflammations.
Epithelial Tissue
“epithe” = laid on, covering

Characteristics Functions Structure

• The cells arranged are (1) A selective barrier that - It has surfaces, layers,
in continuous sheets limits or aids the transfer of multilayers
(singular or plural) substances into and out of - avascular- without
• has many cell junctions the body; vessel but relying on the
• It forms coverings and (2) a secretory surface that blood vessels of the
linings throughout the releases products adjacent connective
body produced by the cells onto tissue
• has surfaces and layers its free surfaces
• have high rate of cell (3) a protective surface
division that resists the abrasive
influences of the
environment.
I. Surfaces
apical (free) surface- faces the body Surfaces, Layers,
surface
lateral surfaces- which face the adjacent
Multilayers
cells on either side
basal surface- opposite the apical surface

II. Layers
1.apical layer refers to the most
superficial
2.basal layer is the deepest layer of cells.

III. Multilayers
1. Basement membrane- extracellular
layer, consist of 2 layers
a. basal lamina (thin)- closer to—and
secreted by—the epithelial cells.
b. Reticular lamina- closer to the
underlying connective tissue and contains
proteins such as collagen produced by
connective tissue cells called fibroblasts
Facts

• Under certain conditions, basement membranes become

markedly thickened, due to increased production of
collagen and laminin. In untreated cases of diabetes
mellitus, the basement membrane of small blood vessels
(capillaries) thickens, especially in the eyes and kidneys.
Because of this the blood vessels cannot function
properly and blindness and kidney failure may result.
Classification of Tissue Combination of 2 characteristics

1. Arrangement of cells in I. Simple epithelium

layers
• A. Simple squamous epithelium
• a. Simple epithelium
• B. Simple cuboidal epithelium
• b. Pseudostratified
• C. Simple columnar epithelium
epithelium
• D. Pseudostratified columnar
• c. Stratified epithelium
epithelium

2. Cell shapes
II. Stratified epithelium
• a. Squamous cells
• A. Stratified squamous epithelium
• b. Cuboidal cells
• B. Stratified cuboidal epithelium
• c. Columnar cells
• C. Stratified columnar epithelium
• d. Transitional cells
• D. Transitional epithelium
 Arrangement of cells in layers

Simple Epithelium Stratified Epithelium -

Pseudostratified
- single layer of cells consists of two or more
Epithelium
that functions in layers of cells that protect
-multiple layers of cells
diffusion, osmosis, underlying tissues in
-may contain cilia;
filtration, secretion, or locations where there is
others (goblet cells)
absorption. considerable wear and
secrete mucus.
tear.
 Cell shapes

a. Squamous cells are thin, which allows for the rapid passage of substances
through them.
b. Cuboidal cells are as tall as they are wide and are shaped like cubes or
hexagons. They may have microvilli and function in either secretion or
absorption.
c. Columnar cells are much taller than they are wide, like columns, and
protect underlying tissues. Their apical surfaces may have cilia or microvilli,
and they often are specialized for secretion and absorption.
 Cell Shape

d. Transitional cells change shape, from squamous to cuboidal and

back, as organs such as the urinary bladder stretch (distend) to a larger
size and then collapse to a smaller size.
 Types of Tissues (combined layer arrangement and shape)

• I. Simple

Nonciliated
Location: Covers Location: Lines gastrointestinal
Location: lines the surface of ovary; tract (from stomach to anus),
cardiovascular lens of the eye; ducts of many glands, and
and lymphatic lines kidney gallbladder.
system (heart, tubules and Ciliated
blood vessels, smaller ducts of bronchioles, uterine (fallopian)
lymphatic vessel many glands; tubes, uterus, some paranasal
linings) thyroid gland and sinuses, spinal cord, and
pancreas ventricles of brain.
Simple Epithelium
• d. Pseudostratified columnar epithelium
– Rests on basement membrane – gives false impression
(pseudo) of being multi-layered tissue
– Secretes or absorbs
– Respiratory tract – cilia propels mucus from lungs
– Non- ciliated- lines larger ducts of many glands, epididymis,
and part of male urethra.
Stratified Epithelium
• 1. Stratified squamous
– Withstand abuse, friction
– Esophagus, mouth, outer portion of skin
Stratified Epithelium

• Stratified cuboidal
– Usually 2 layers
– Mainly in ducts of large glands (sweat,
mammary, salivary)

Sweat Gland Esophageal Gland

Stratified Epithelium

• Stratified columnar
– Thick, waterproof layer
– Pharynx, male urethra, lining ducts
Transitional Epithelium

• Able to change shape (cuboidal  squamous)

• Lining of hollow urinary organs (bladder, ureter,
urethra)
• Stretches when filled with urine
 Glandular Epithelium
• Gland: make and secrete a particular product
• 2 Types:
– Endocrine gland: produce hormones
secreted into tissue fluid or bloodstream
– Exocrine gland: secrete products into ducts
 onto body surfaces or body cavities
– 2 types: Unicellular and multicellular
• Eg. mucous, sweat, oil, saliva, bile
 Classification of Epithelial Tissue
Shape of Cells Tissue Type
One layer
a. Squamous Simple squamous
b. Cuboidal Simple cuboidal
c. Columnar Simple columnar
d. Pseudostratified columnar Pseudostratified columnar

Several layers
Squamous Stratified squamous
Cuboidal Stratified cuboidal
Columnar Stratified columnar
(Varies) Transitional
 Exocrine Glands

Unicellular Multicellular
• Mucus cells or goblet • Duct structure
cells
 Connective Tissue

Functions:

 It connects, supports, transports and defends.

 It also connects muscle muscles to muscles, muscles to
bones and bones to bones.
 It forms a supporting framework for the body as whole
and for its organs individually.
 Characteristics of Connective Tissue

Consists of intracellular material called matrix

Embedded in the matrix are few cells, kinds of fibers, fluid
other material called ground substance.

Kinds of fibers:
a. Collagenous (or white)- tough and strong; made up of
collagen. Provide strength.
b. Reticular- delicate; made up of reticulin; support
small structures such as capillaries
c. Elastic- extensible and elastic; made up of elastin.
Found in “stretchy” tissues such as cartilage.
Connective tissue cell
 Classification of Connective
Tissue
I. Embryonic connective tissue
• A. Mesenchyme
• B. Mucous connective tissue
II. Mature connective tissue
• A. Loose connective tissue
• 1. Areolar connective tissue
• 2. Adipose tissue
• 3. Reticular connective tissue
B. Dense connective tissue
• 1. Dense regular connective tissue
• 2. Dense irregular connective tissue
• 3. Elastic connective tissue
C. Cartilage
• 1. Hyaline cartilage
• 2. Fibrocartilage
• 3. Elastic cartilage
D. Bone tissue
E. Liquid connective tissue
• 1. Blood tissue
• 2. Lymph
I. Embryonic Connective Tissue

• A. Mesenchyme has irregularly shaped mesenchymal cells

• Location: under the skin , developing bones of embryo; blood vessels.
• Function: Forms almost all other types of connective tissue.
 Mucous connective tissue

• Description: Has scattered fibroblasts embedded in collagen fibers.

• Location: Umbilical cord of fetus.
• Function: Support.
 II. Mature connective tissue

• Mature connective tissue, is present in the newborn. Its

cells arise primarily from mesenchyme.
•
• 5 types
• (A) loose connective tissue
• (B) dense connective tissue
• (C) cartilage
• (D) bone tissue
• (E) liquid connective tissue (blood and lymph).
 A. Loose connective tissue

• loose connective tissue are loosely arranged between

cells. Stretchable and ordinary because it is widely
distributed.

Types of loose connective tissue

• 1. Areolar connective tissue
• 2. Adipose tissue
• 3. Reticular connective tissue.
II. Mature connective tissue
A. Loose connective tissue
1. Areolar connective tissue “like a small space”

• Description: consists of fibers, cells embedded in semifluid ground.

• Location: Subcutaneous layer deep to skin; around blood vessels,
nerves, and body organs.
• Function: Strength, elasticity, support.
II. Mature connective tissue
A. Loose connective tissue
2. Adipose tissue

• Description: Derived from fibroblasts (called adipocytes) that stores

fat.
• Location: subcutaneous layer deep to skin, around heart and
kidneys, yellow bone marrow, padding around joints and behind
eyeball in eye socket.
• Function: Reduces heat loss through skin; serves as an energy
reserve; supports and protects organs.
 FYI: BAT (Brown adipose tissue)

• In newborns, BAT generates heat to

maintain proper body temperature. Brown
adipose tissue (BAT) is darker due to very
rich blood supply and numerous
pigmented mitochondria that participate in
aerobic cellular respiration.
 Fact 1

• Liposuction is a procedure in which small amounts of adipose tissue

are suctioned out of different areas of the body, such as the abdomen,
thighs, buttocks, arms, and breasts, for body sculpting. Liposuction can
also be used to transfer fat from one part of the body to another. In one
type of liposuction, the removal of fat involves making an incision in the
skin into the area where fat is to be removed and inserting a cannula
(stainless steel tube). With the assistance of a powerful vacuum device,
the fat is suctioned through the cannula. Liposuction is not a treatment
for obesity. Its primary function is to improve body contour and
proportions.
Fact 2

• Cryolipolysis (cryo= cold) or coolsculpting refers to the

destruction of fat cells by the external application of
controlled cooling. Since fat crystallizes faster than the
surrounding tissue, the cold temperature kills fat cells
while sparing damage to nerve cells, blood vessels, and
other structures. Within a few days of the procedure,
apoptosis (genetically programmed cell death) begins;
within several months the fat cells are removed.
II. Mature connective tissue
A. Loose connective tissue
3. Reticular connective tissue

• Description: Fine interlacing network ( 3 dimensional web) of reticular fibers

and reticular cells.
• Location: liver, spleen, lymph nodes; red bone marrow; reticular lamina of
basement membrane; around blood vessels and muscles.
• Function: Defending itself against microorganism and injurious substances.
Capable of phagocytosis.
II. Mature connective tissue
B. Dense connective tissue

• Consists of fibers packed densely in matrix

• Contains fibroblast cells

• Types:
• a. Regular- fibers are arranged in regular, parallel rows.
Possesses great tensile strength.
• b. Irregular- fibers are not arranged in parallel row, can
withstand stresses
• c. Elastic- elastic fibers with fibroblasts between them;
unstained tissue is yellowish. Allows stretching of various
organs.
II. Mature connective tissue
Dense connective tissue
1. Dense Regular connective tissue

Provides tensile (pulling) strength in many directions.

II. Mature connective tissue
Dense connective tissue
2. Dense Irregular connective tissue

Provides tensile (pulling) strength in many directions.

II. Mature connective tissue
Dense connective tissue
3. Elastic connective tissue

Allows stretching of various organs; is strong and can recoil to original

shape after being stretched.
II. Mature connective tissue
C. Cartilage
• It has chondrocytes (cells of mature cartilage) that
produce fibers and the tough substance of cartilage.
• Chondrocytes are found is small openings called
lacunae.
• Cartilage is avascular, nutrients must reach the cells by
diffusion.
• Injuries to cartilage heal slowly because of this
insufficient delivery of nutrients.
• Perichondrium- specialized connective tissue
membrane which allow movement or diffusion.
• Types: Hyaline cartilage, Fibrocartilage, Elastic cartilage
II. Mature connective tissue
Cartilage
1. Hyaline cartilage

Function: Provides smooth surfaces for movement at

joints, flexibility, and support; weakest type of cartilage
and can be fractured.
II. Mature connective tissue
Cartilage
2. Fibrocartilage

Support and joining structures together. Strength and rigidity make it

the strongest type of cartilage.
II. Mature connective tissue
Cartilage
3. Elastic cartilage

Provides strength and elasticity; maintains shape of

certain structures.
II. Mature connective tissue
D. Bone tissue

Bone or osseous tissue

• Cells: Osteocytes
• Matrix: Contains organic collagen and mineral salts.
• The Inorganic portion is responsible for the hardness of
bone.
• Bones store calcium and phosphorus; house red bone
marrow, which produces blood cells; and contain yellow
bone marrow, a storage site for triglycerides.
 Basic unit of Bones

• 1.Lamellae- concentric rings that consist mineral salts.

• 2.Lacunae- small spaces between lamellae that contain
mature bone cells called osteocytes.
• 3. Canaliculi- Projecting from the lacunae; provide routes
for nutrients to reach osteocytes and for wastes to leave
them.
• 4. Central Canal- contains blood vessels and nerves.
II. Mature connective tissue
D. Bone tissue

Function: Support, protection, storage; houses blood-forming tissue; serves as

levers that act with muscle tissue to enable movement.
II. Mature connective tissue
E. Liquid connective tissue

• A liquid connective tissue has a liquid as its

extracellular matrix.

• Types:
• a. Blood tissue
• b. Lymph
II. Mature connective tissue
Liquid connective tissue
1. Blood tissue

Red blood cells: transport oxygen and some carbon dioxide; white
blood cells: carry on phagocytosis and mediate allergic reactions and
immune system responses; platelets: essential for blood clotting.
II. Mature connective tissue
Liquid connective tissue
2. Lymph

• Lymph is the extracellular fluid that flows in lymphatic

vessels. It is a liquid connective tissue that consists of
several types of cells in a clear liquid extracellular matrix
that is similar to blood plasma but with much less
protein.
III. Muscular Tissue

• Consist of elongated cells called muscle fibers or myocytes

• Maintains posture, and generates heat

• It also provides protection. Based on location and certain structural

and functional features, muscular tissue is classified into

• 3 types: Skeletal, Cardiac, and Smooth

 III. Muscular Tissue
a. Skeletal Muscle Tissue

Description : consists of long, cylindrical, striated fibers .Skeletal muscle is

considered voluntary because it can be made to contract or relax by
conscious control.
Location: Usually attached to bones by tendons.
Function: Motion, posture, heat production, protection.
 III. Muscular Tissue
b. Cardiac Muscle Tissue

Description: Cardiac muscle tissue consists of branched, striated fibers

with usually only one centrally located nucleus (occasionally two). It has cell
-desmosomes and gap junctions.
Location: Heart wall.
Function: Pumps blood to all parts of body.
 III. Muscular Tissue
c. Smooth Muscle Tissue

Description Smooth muscle tissue consists of fibers usually involuntary, nonstriated (lack
striations, hence the term smooth). It has Gap junctions Can produce powerful
contractions as many muscle fibers.
Location: Iris of eyes; walls of hollow internal structures such as blood vessels, airways to
lungs, stomach, intestines, gallbladder, urinary bladder, and uterus.
Function: Motion (constriction of blood vessels and airways)
 IV. Nervous Tissue
Consists of only two principal types of cells:
1. Neurons- nerve cells, are sensitive to various stimuli.
They convert stimuli into electrical signals called nerve
action potentials (nerve impulses).
Consist of 3 basic parts:
a. Cell body
b. Dendrites
c. Axon
2. Neuroglia- do not generate or conduct nerve impulses.
Has many supportive functions.
 IV. Nervous Tissue
• AKA Excitable Cells- because they exhibit electrical
excitability, the ability to respond to certain stimuli by
producing electrical signals.

• They release neurotransmitters which allow neurons to

communicate with other neurons, muscle fibers, or
glands.
IV. Nervous Tissue
 Tissue Repair: Restoring Homeostasis

1. Tissue repair is the replacement of worn-out, damaged, or dead cells

by healthy ones.
2. Stem cells may divide to replace lost or damaged cells.

Stem cells- immature, undifferentiated cells called stem cells divide to

replace lost or damaged cells.

3. If the injury is superficial, tissue repair involves parenchymal

regeneration; if damage is extensive, granulation tissue is involved.

4. Good nutrition and blood circulation are vital to tissue repair.

• Parenchyma -cells that constitute the functioning part of
the tissue or organ.

• Granulation tissue - when fibroblasts divide rapidly, and

new collagen fibers are manufactured to provide
structural strength. Blood capillaries also sprout new
buds to supply the healing tissue with the materials it
needs.