Tissue identification- Nelson fall 2025

Areolar tissue

Location: Papillary dermis, under epithelia

Function: Cushion, diffusion, immunity

Key features of ID: Loose mesh with all fibers and many cell types

Areolar tissue

Location: Papillary dermis, under epithelia

Function: Cushion, diffusion, immunity

Key features of ID: Loose mesh with all fibers and many cell types

Dense irregular connective tissue

Location: Reticular dermis, organ capsules

Function: Resists tension in multiple directions

Key features of ID: Swirled mess of collagen fibers, few cells

Dense regular connective tissue

Location: tendons and ligaments

Function: Resists tension in one direction

Key features of ID: Aligned wavy fibers, one direction, few cells (fewer nuclei than skeletal muscle).

Hyaline cartilage

Location: Trachea, tip of nose, costal cartilage, articular surfaces

Function: Support with flexibility

Key features of ID: Glassy, pale matrix, Chondrocytes in lacunae, few visible fibers

Fibrocartilage

Location: Vertebral discs, pubic symphysis, menisci, transition from tendon to bone

Function: Strong shock absorption

Key features of ID: Thick collagen bundles in rows with chodrocytes

Elastic cartilage

Location: external ear, epiglottis

Function: Flexible support, recoil

Key features of ID: Chondrocytes in lacunae and dark elastic fibers

Compact bone

Location: Skeleton

Function: Support, protection, calcim homeostasis

Key features of ID: Osteons

Blood

Location: In blood vessels

Function: Transport gases, nutrients, waste, and immune cells

Key features of ID: Fluid matrix with RBCs and some WBCs

Adipose tissue

Location: Hypodermis, abdomen, breasts, around kidneys

Function: Energy storage, heat retention

Key features of ID: Large, clear fat vacuolesthe , peripherial nuclei.

Reticular connective tissue

Location: Lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow

Function: Structure and support around cells

Key features of ID: Branched fiber structure

Skeletal muscle

Location: Attached to bones

Function: Movement, posture, heat

Key features of ID: Striations or dots, nuclei on the periphery, multinucleated.

Cardiac muscle

Location: Heart

Function: Pump blood

Key features of ID: Central nuclei, one nucleus, and Intercalated discs.

Smooth muscle

Location: Organs, arterioles

Function: Movement of substances, regulates diameter

Key features of ID: One nuclei, spindle-shaped

Nervous

Location: Brain, spinal cord, nerves

Function: Communication, control, support

Key features of ID: Dendrites and axons on neuron, smaller glia are all around