Princess M.
Bote
BS RESPI 1-1
R 101
The term tissue is used to describe a group of cells found together in the
body. The cells within a tissue share a common embryonic origin. Microscopic
observation reveals that the cells in a tissue share morphological features and
are arranged in an orderly pattern that achieves the tissue’s functions. From the
evolutionary perspective, tissues appear in more complex organisms. Although
there are many types of cells in the human body. Each of these categories is
characterized by specific functions that contribute to the overall health and
maintenance of the body. A disruption of the structure is a sign of injury or
disease. These are the organized four broad categories of tissues: epithelial,
connective, muscle, and nervous.
Epithelial tissue, also referred to as epithelium, refers to the sheets of
cells that cover exterior surfaces of the body, line internal cavities and
passageways, and form certain glands. Epithelial tissue serves the main
purpose of providing protection for our body’s outer surface and the
passageways inside our body.
It is avascular but innervated. Epithelial cells exist in close apposition,
forming a barrier between connective tissues and free surfaces. Their surfaces
face basally, apically and laterally, with each having distinctive features.
Specialized epithelial tissue also exists. It is found in the lining of our stomach,
intestines, trachea, and any other passageways in our body as a form of
protection, absorption of nutrients, and secretion of fluids. There are three
types of epithelial tissues: squamous, cuboidal, and columnar. Depending on
the function of the organ, its epithelial tissue can have varying layers of cells.
Connective tissue, as its name implies, binds the cells and organs of the
body together and functions in the protection, support, and integration of all
parts of the body. The connective tissue membrane is formed solely from
connective tissue. These membranes encapsulate organs, such as the kidneys,
and line our movable joints.
Connective tissue is the most abundant tissue type in our body. It
connects other cells and tissues together. It is typically found in our bones,
cartilage, adipose, collagen, blood and many other areas in our body. This
shows that connective tissue is very important in providing support and
protection in our body. In bones and cartilage, it provides support whereas the
collagen in our skin is meant to be elastic and provide protection due to its
interlocking matrix.
It consists of cells, that originate from mesenchyme, and an
extracellular matrix. The extracellular matrix is made up of a ground substance
and protein fibers. There are several important cell types and three main fibers:
collagen, reticular and elastic. Classification of connective tissue into three
broad types is based upon the composition of its cellular and extracellular
components and its function in the body.
Muscle tissue, is both extensible and elastic. The cells are
contractile and are highly organized into fiber bundles. Muscle is
classified according to the appearance of the contractile cells. There are
three types of muscle tissue in which they each have their own
purpose: cardiac, smooth, and skeletal . Muscle tissue is excitable,
responding to stimulation and contracting to provide movement .
Muscle tissue allows for movement by receiving signals to
contract our muscles. This results in being able to move our arms,
helping with food moving through the digestive system, and allowing
our heart to contract.
Nervous tissue is also excitable, cells of the nervous system are highly
specialized to transmit electrical impulses around the body, allowing the
propagation of electrochemical signals in the form of nerve impulses that
communicate between different regions of the body.
Nervous tissue conducts and transmits signals (excitable tissue)
throughout our body to other muscles and glands. This forms a great way of
communication between different organs in the body to maintain
homeostasis. . There are two main types: neurons and glia. Neurons tend to
have a large cell body and projections carrying information to (dendrites) and
from (axons) the cell body itself , a neural cells in the central and peripheral
nervous system. While neurons transmit impulses to other parts of the body,
glial cells may provide protection to the neurons’ axons or help regulate
homeostasis.
Types of Tissue Location Function
Epithelial tissue • throughout the body • They form the covering
• covers internal and of all body surfaces, line
external surfaces in your body cavities and hollow
body. organs, and are the
major tissue in glands.
• They perform a variety
of functions that include
protection, secretion,
absorption, excretion,
filtration, diffusion, and
sensory reception.
Connective tissue • occur throughout the • bind structures together
body. • form a framework and
• within the walls of large support for organs and
blood vessels, elastic the body as a whole,
cartilages, yellow store fat, transport
ligaments, lungs and substances, protect
skin. against disease, and help
• spaces between organs repair tissue damage
and tissues
Muscle tissue • in walls of hollow • special ability to shorten
visceral organs or contract in order
to produce movement of
the body parts.
• generate tension from
internal to external.
Nervous tissue • found in the brain, • responsible
spinal cord, and nerves for coordinating and
• in the peripheral nerves controlling many body
all through the body and activities
also in the organs of the • stimulates muscle
central nervous system contraction, creates an
awareness of the
environment, and plays
a major role in
emotions, memory, and
reasoning.
• to receive stimuli and
send signals to the brain
and spinal cord
