Tissue Types

Histology

How we examine tissues:Teased, smeared or squashed samples,

scraped – we are looking at whole cells

Thin sections – very thin sections of the tissue are made using a microtome after tissue has been either frozen or embedded in some sort of solid substance like wax or plastic –

Staining – In either case stains are used so enhance contrast in the specimen

Key Terms

Histology: the study of tissues.

Tissues: groups of cells which are similar in

structure and which perform common or related functions.

Muscle Tissue

• Muscle tissue is a specialized tissue that are able to contract.

• Two types of muscle tissue…•Voluntary-muscles that you are able to control

• Involuntary-muscles that you cannot control

Muscle tissue

Skeletal Tissue• Skeletal tissue moves bones

• Most common type of muscle• Voluntary muscles • Wear out quickly and tire more

easily• Look branched or striated• Example: Tendons-the thick bands

of tissue that attach muscle to bone.

Skeletal Tissue

Cardiac Muscle

• Found only in the heart• Involuntary muscle• Contracts an average of 70 per minute each day• Cardiac muscle is striated, like skeletal muscle

Smooth (visceral) muscles-found in many internal organs

• Involuntary muscles• Contract and relax slowly• Appear very branched, spindle-shaped• Examples: Blood vessels, bladder, stomach

Epithelial Tissue

• Pack tightly together and form continuous sheets that serve as linings in different parts of the body.

• A. lines our organs• B. ex. Stomach lining and outer layer of skin.

Connective tissue

• There are many types of connective tissue in the body.

• Adds support and structure to the body.• Some examples include inner layers of skin,

tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bone and fat tissue.• Blood is also considered a form of connective

tissue.

Connective Tissue

Nerve Tissue

• Contains two types of cells: neurons and glial cells.

• Has the ability to generate and conduct electrical signals in the body.

• These electrical messages are managed by nerve tissue in the brain and transmitted down the spinal cord to the body.

• Gives signals to muscles and informs us of environmental conditions (hot, cold, humid)

• Examples are brain, spinal cord, nerves

Nervous Tissue