A&P Types of Tissues

Connective Tissues

provide support and bind other tissues together, can provide insulation and protection; loose connective and dense connective

areolar

(loose connective) - mostly open space, holds water and salts for surrounding tissues, found under epithelium and around organs

adipose

(loose connective) - comprised of fat cells, have large vacuoles that contain fat/oil, insulates and warms body, provides nutrients to other cells

reticular

(loose connective) - contains reticular fibers, which create a stiff framework that support other cells 

regular

(dense connective) - collagen fibers are arranged in one direction, provides “tensile strength” like a rope, found in tendons and ligaments 

irregular 

(dense connective) - collagen fibers are arranged in many directions, provides strength in multiple directions, found in capsules around organs 

elastic

(dense connective) - provides flexible cushioning,

found in between vertebrae and in arteries

hyaline

(cartilage) - glassy looking, firm ground substance with lacuna, few collagen fibers, found in larynx, bridge of nose, and ribs

fibro-cartilage

(cartilage) - contains lots of collagen, mostly running parallel, found in intervertebral spaces

elastic

(cartilage) - highly flexible, more elastic fibers, found in outer ear and tip of nose

mast cells

(vascular) - detect foreign substances, contain granules that secrete inflammatory chemicals

macro-phages

(vascular) - blob like cells that engulf invading substances or organisms 

blood cells 

(vascular) - red blood cells: erythrocytes (carry oxygen) - white blood cells: leukocytes (provide immune response

smooth

(muscle) - contracts involuntarily, non-striated, found in walls of the stomach, uterus, intestines, bladder, arteries, veins, and eyes

cardiac

(muscle) - contracts involuntarily, striated, found in the heart, activated by brain or hormones

skeletal

(muscle) - contracts voluntarily, striated, found in bones of the skeleton, controlled by somatic nervous system

neurons

(nervous) - make up 10% of all nerves cells, convert stimuli into nerve impulses, pass impulses to other neurons, muscle fibers or glands, unable to regenerate

neuroglia

(nervous) - make up 90% of all nerve cells, support and protect neurons, do not generate nerve impulses, able to regenerate after injury