Structural Characteristics

Function of tissue

Organ(s) which contain this tissue type

Simple squamous epithelium

Broad and thin nuclei, single layer of thin, flattened cells

Provides a smooth, friction-reducing interior lining, acts as filtration and site of diffusion

Lines interior of heart, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and body cavities

Stratified squamous epithelium

Many cell layers make it thick, accumulate keratin

Keratinized form provides protective covering that prevents water and other substances from escaping

Forms epidermis; lines the mouth, throat, vagina, and anal canal

Pseudostratified ciliated epithelium

Not layered, only one nucleus, contain cilia

Cilia extending from tissue moves mucus and trapped particles out of the airway; moves sex cells from one region to another Protects underlying tissues, secretes digestive fluids, and absorbs nutrients from digested food

Lines the passages of respiratory and reproductive systems

Simple columnar epithelium

Elongated, single layer of cells

Lines uterus and most digestive tract organs

Osseous

most rigid connective tissue, contains collagen, lamellae form concentric patterns

Forms bone that supports body structures, houses marrow

All bones

Adipose

Specialized form of loose fibrous connective tissue

Cushions joints and some organs, insulates, stores fat and energy

Lies beneath the skin, behind eyes, in certain abdominal membranes, on the surface of the heart, etc.

Areolar

Delicate, thin membranes; cells are located some distance apart

Produces collagenous and elastic fibers, binds Integumentary the skin to underlying system, muscles organs and fills spaces between muscles

Hyaline cartilage

Very fine collagenous fibers

Aids in development of most bones, cushions joints

Ends of joints, soft part of nose, and supporting rings of respiratory passages

Reticular cartilage (fibrocartilage)

Very tough, contains many collagenous fibers

Shock absorber for structures subjected to pressure

Between vertebrae, knee joints, pelvic girdle

Blood

Red and white cells, platelets (cellular fragments), forms in marrow

Transports a variety of substances between interior body cells and those that exchange with the external environment

Blood vessels, heart chambers

Smooth muscle

Lacks striations, shorter than skeletal, spindle-shaped with a single, centrally located nucleus

Involuntary contractions to move food through the digestive tract, constricts blood vessels, and empties urinary bladder

Digestive tract, blood vessels, urinary bladder

Cardiac muscle

Striated, joined end to end, branched, interconnected in complex networks

Involuntary contractions pumps blood through the heart chambers and into blood vessels

Heart

Skeletal muscle

Long, threadlike cell with alternating light and dark striations, many nuclei

Voluntary contractions make facial expressions, write, talk, sing, chew, swallow, and breathe
Respond to stimulus by transmitting electrical impulses to muscles or glands

Muscles that move head, trunk, and limbs

Nervous

Sensitive to changes in their surroundings, nucleus

Brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves