Body Tissues Overview Tissues are groups of cells with similar structures

and functions.

There are four basic types of tissues that each have their own general function1. Epithelium (covering)

2. Connective (support)

3. Muscle (movement)

4. Nervous (control)

Epithelial Tissues Epithelial tissues cover and line the body.

The function of epithelial tissues is to protect, absorb, filter and secrete.

Examples of epithelial tissues include: the skin and the linings of organs such as the stomach and kidneys.

Classification of Epithelium

Each epithelium tissue has two parts to its name.

The first part classifies the tissue by number of layers:1. Simple epithelium = one layer of cells

2. Stratified epithelium = multiple layers of cells

3. Pseudo-stratified epithelium = one layer that appears to have multiple layers

SIMPLE STRATIFIED PSEUDO-STRATIFIED

Classification of Epithelium

The second part classifies the tissue by shape:1. Squamous cells = flat like fish scales

2. Cuboidal cells = cubes like dice

3. Columnar = tall rectangles like columns

SQUAMOUS CUBOIDAL COLUMNAR

Types of Epithelial Tissues

Connective Tissues Connective tissues connect body parts and are the most

abundant type of tissue.

The function of the connective tissue is to protect, cover and bind.

Examples of connective tissues include bone, cartilage and fat.

Cartilage Tendon Fat

Types of Connective Tissue

There are five types of connective tissue:1. Bone – protects and supports body organs

1. Cartilage – softer and more flexible than bone, covers the ends of bones.

1. Dense Connective Tissue – includes “rope-like” structures such as tendons and ligaments

1. Loose Connective Tissue – includes soft tissues such as fat that protect and hold together body organs

1. Blood – blood cells surrounded by blood plasma

Muscle Tissues Muscle tissues contract and shorten to produce

body movement.

There are three types of muscle tissue:1. Skeletal Muscle –controls voluntary

movement such as contracting leg or

arm muscles or creating facial

expressions

2. Cardiac Muscle – controls involuntary

movement, which allows the heart to

pump and move blood through the

body

3. Smooth Muscle – controls involuntary movement, which allows the organs to pass substances to the next organ

Nervous Tissues Nervous tissues are made of cells called neurons.

Neurons receive and conduct electrical impulses from one part of the body to another, which allows messages to be communicated between the brain and other parts of the body.

Neurons and their supporting cells make up the structures of the nervous system: the brain, spinal cord and nerves.