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Anatomy & Physiology: Tissue Types and Characteristics

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  • What are the four primary types of body tissues?
    Epithelial tissue, Connective tissue, Muscle tissue, and Nervous tissue.
  • What are the main functions of epithelial tissue?
    Protection, absorption, filtration, and secretion.
  • What are key characteristics of epithelial tissue?
    Cells fit closely together forming continuous sheets, are avascular, polarized with apical and basal surfaces, and highly regenerative.
  • What does it mean that epithelial tissue is polarized?
    It has two distinct surfaces: the apical surface exposed to the exterior or cavity, and the basal surface resting on the basement membrane.
  • How is epithelial tissue classified by cell layers?
    Simple (one layer) and Stratified (multiple layers).
  • How is epithelial tissue classified by cell shape?
    Squamous (flattened), Cuboidal (cube-shaped), and Columnar (column-like).
  • Describe simple squamous epithelium and its function.
    Single layer of flattened cells; allows diffusion and filtration; found in kidney glomeruli, air sacs of lungs, and lining of blood vessels.
  • Where is simple cuboidal epithelium found and what is its function?
    Found in kidney tubules and small gland ducts; functions in secretion and absorption.
  • What is the function of simple columnar epithelium?
    Absorption and secretion of mucus, enzymes; ciliated type propels mucus by ciliary action.
  • What distinguishes stratified squamous epithelium?
    Multiple layers with basal cells cuboidal or columnar and surface cells flattened; protects against abrasion; keratinized type forms skin epidermis.
  • What is the function of transitional epithelium?
    Stretches readily to permit distension of urinary organs like bladder and ureters.
  • Describe pseudostratified columnar epithelium.
    Single layer with nuclei at different levels; often ciliated and contains mucus-secreting goblet cells; found in respiratory tract.
  • What are the main functions of connective tissue?
    Protection, binding tissues together, and structural support.
  • List connective tissue types from most fluid to most rigid.
    Blood, loose connective tissue, dense connective tissue, cartilage, bone.
  • What is the function of blood as a connective tissue?
    Transports respiratory gases, nutrients, wastes, and other substances.
  • Describe areolar connective tissue and its function.
    Gel-like matrix with collagen, elastic fibers; wraps and cushions organs; plays role in inflammation.
  • What is the role of adipose tissue?
    Provides reserve food fuel, insulates against heat loss, and supports/protects organs.
  • Where is reticular connective tissue found and what is its function?
    Found in lymphoid organs; forms soft internal skeleton supporting other cells.
  • What is the function of dense regular connective tissue?
    Attaches muscles to bones or bones to bones; withstands tensile stress in one direction.
  • How does dense irregular connective tissue differ in function?
    Withstands tension in many directions; provides structural strength.
  • What is the function of dense elastic connective tissue?
    Allows tissue recoil after stretching; maintains pulsatile blood flow; aids lung recoil.
  • Describe hyaline cartilage and its function.
    Firm matrix with collagen fibers; supports and reinforces; cushions and resists compressive stress.
  • What is fibrocartilage and where is it found?
    Matrix with thick collagen fibers; provides tensile strength and absorbs compressive shock; found in intervertebral discs.
  • What distinguishes elastic cartilage?
    Similar to hyaline but with more elastic fibers; maintains shape with flexibility; found in ear and epiglottis.
  • What are the characteristics and functions of bone tissue?
    Hard, calcified matrix with collagen; supports and protects; stores minerals; site of blood cell formation.
  • Describe skeletal muscle tissue.
    Long, cylindrical, multinucleate cells with striations; voluntary movement and locomotion.
  • What are key features of cardiac muscle?
    Branching, striated, uninucleate cells with intercalated discs; involuntary contraction to pump blood.
  • Describe smooth muscle tissue and its function.
    Spindle-shaped cells without striations; involuntary control; propels substances through hollow organs.
  • What is the function of nervous tissue?
    Transmits electrical signals; supports and protects neurons.