Body Tissue Identification

Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

Consists of collagen fibers that are packed closely together in irregular patterns. It is located in parts of the body that are subject to pulling forces from various directions.

Reticular Connective Tissue

Consists of interlacing reticular fibers and cells, Connective tissue that contains reticular fibers and cells; used to make the framework of major organs

Elastic cartilage

Contains elastic fibers that appear as coiled fibers among the collagen fibers. It functions to return to normal shape after being bent or stretched.

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium (ciliated)

A single layer of column-shaped cells that have nuclei and cells at various heights, giving the impression of several cell layers present. This tissue has cilia (hair-like projections that move secretions). Located in the upper respiratory tract. The function is secretion and absorption.

Fibocartilage

Contains more collagen than hyaline cartilage. It contains visible bundles of collagen fibers that appear in the matrix. It functions to resist pulling and tearing. It is located between the bones of the spine (intervertebral disks) and between some joints.

Cardiac Muscle

Lightly striated (striped or banded in appearance), uninucleated (one nucleus per cell) and involuntary. Cells are connected by structures called intercalated disks.

Adipose connective tissue

Like areolar tissue in structure and function, but with greater predominance of fat cells (90% fat cells). Functions are storage of energy, insulation and protection (cushioning).

Dense Regular Connective Tissue

Made up of bundles of collagen fibers that are arranged regularly in parallel patterns. It is located in tissues that require a great deal of one-way, tensile (stretch) strength. It forms tendons and ligaments.

Skeletal Muscle

Heavily striated (striped or banded in appearance), multinucleated, voluntary muscle that attaches to bone. It functions in contraction (shortening) which causes the muscle to pull on bone, thus allowing movement.

Stratified squamous epithelium

Multiple layers of flat, irregular cells. Main function is protection against dehydration and abrasion. Non-keratinized (pictured) lines body cavities such as the mouth, esophagus, and vagina. Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium forms the outer layer of the skin.

Neurons

Nerve cells; the functional units of the nervous system. We will discuss these and other tissues of the nervous system when we get to chapter 9.

Smooth Muscle

Non-striated (not striped or banded in appearance), uninucleated (one nucleus per cell) and involuntary. Forms hollow smooth muscle organs and passageways. It functions in peristalsis, which is a milking action of a structure by means of which its contents are moved onward.

Hyaline cartilage

THE MOST ABUNDANT CARTILAGE IN THE BODY!! It has fine collagen fibers that are hidden (not visible) within the matrix.

Bone

The most rigid connective tissue that contains a matrix of collagen fibers embedded in mineral salts. Bone is arranged in repeating units called "osteons" that resemble tree trunks.

Areolar Connective Tissue

The most widely distributed connective tissues. It consists of collagen, elastin, and reticular fibers, arranged randomly. Fibroblasts are the main cell. It serves as a packaging tissue (helping to hold organs in proper position). It also serves as a reservoir for water and salts, often soaking up excess fluid from inflammation.

Transitional epithelium

Wrinkled tissue capable of great expansion. In their normal form, the cells are balloon-shaped. However, with increasing volume, the cells flatten, which allows for the expansion of an organ. Location is in urinary bladder and urinary ducts.

Blood

Blood is a form of connective tissue (along with lymph). These two connective tissue will be discussed further in their respective chapters :)

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

Single layer of cube-shaped cells. Functions in secretion and absorption. Located in glands and kidneys.

Simple Squamous epithelium

Single layer of flat, irregular cells. Functions in diffusion. Located in the lungs

Simple Columnar Epithelium

Single row of column-shaped cells. Functions in protection, secretion (mucus and enzymes) and absorption. Located in uterus, stomach, and intestines.