Tissues and their functions/cells

Simple Squamous Epithelium

Location: Lungs, blood vessels, kidney glomeruli. Function: Diffusion, filtration, and secretion. Cells: Flat, thin cells that form a single layer.

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

Location: Various glands and the kidney tubules. Function: Secretion and absorption. Cells: Cube-shaped cells forming a single layer.

Simple Columnar Epithelium

Location: In the digestive tract, uterus, and bronchi. Function: Absorption and secretion of mucus and enzymes. Cells: Tall, columnar cells with nuclei aligned.

Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium

Location: Trachea, respiratory tract. Function: Secretion and movement of mucus. Cells: Goblet cells.

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Location: Skin, lining of the mouth, esophagus. Function: Protection against abrasion. Cells: Multiple layers of cells with flat surfaces.

Transitional Epithelium

Location: Urinary bladder, ureters. Function: Stretching and expansion. Cells: Rounded cells that can flatten when stretched.

Areolar Connective Tissue

Location: Under epithelia, surrounds blood vessels. Function: Cushioning, support, immune defense. Cells: Fibroblasts, macrophages, mast cells.

Adipose Tissue

Location: Under skin, around organs. Function: Energy storage, insulation, and cushioning. Cells: Adipocytes (fat cells).

Reticular Connective Tissue

Location: Lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow. Function: Supports immune cells. Cells: Reticular cells.

Dense Regular Connective Tissue

Location: Tendons, ligaments. Function: Strength in one direction. Cells: Fibroblasts within a matrix of collagen fibers.

Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

Location: Dermis of skin, joint capsules. Function: Strength in multiple directions. Cells: Fibroblasts within a dense matrix.

Hyaline Cartilage

Location: Ends of bones, nose, trachea. Function: Support, cushioning, and flexibility. Cells: Chondrocytes within lacunae.

Elastic Cartilage

Location: Ear, epiglottis. Function: Flexible support. Cells: Chondrocytes among dense network of elastic fibers.

Fibrocartilage

Location: Intervertebral discs, menisci. Function: Strong support, absorbs shock. Cells: Chondrocytes in a tough, fibrous matrix.

Bone (Osseous Tissue)

Location: Bones. Function: Support, protection, mineral storage. Cells: Osteocytes within a mineralized matrix.

Blood

Location: Within blood vessels. Function: Transport of gases, nutrients, and immune response. Cells: Red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets.

Skeletal Muscle

Location: Attached to bones. Function: Voluntary movement. Cells: Long, striated muscle fibers with multiple nuclei.

Cardiac Muscle

Location: Heart. Function: Involuntary contraction of the heart. Cells: Striated muscle fibers with intercalated discs.

Smooth Muscle

Location: Walls of hollow organs. Function: Involuntary movement of organs. Cells: Spindle-shaped cells without striations.

Nervous Tissue

Location: Brain, spinal cord, nerves. Function: Communication, signal transmission. Cells: Neurons and glial cells.