Histology: Specialized Connective, Muscle & Nervous Tissue

Identify the tissue. State its function and location.

Tissue: Hyaline Cartilage

Function: Support and protection; resists wear and tear.

Location: Nose, trachea, tips of bones.

Visual Clue: Smooth matrix with lots of chondrocytes.

Identify the tissue. State its function and location.

Tissue: Elastic Cartilage

Function: Flexible support.

Location: Ear and epiglottis.

Visual Clue: Similar to hyaline but contains elastic fibers.

Identify the tissue. State its function and location.

Tissue: Fibrocartilage

Function: Withstands compression.

Location: Intervertebral discs, pubic symphysis, knee.

Visual Clue: Dense collagen fibers with fewer cells.

What is a chondrocyte?

Cartilage cell found in a lacuna.

What is a lacuna?

small space that houses a chondrocyte or osteocyte.

What are the three bone cell types and their functions?

• Osteocyte = mature bone cell

• Osteoblast = builds bone

• Osteoclast = breaks down bone

What type of bone is this?

Spongy Bone

• Open spaces

• Contains red bone marrow

• Blood cell production

• Makes bones lighter

What type of bone is this?

Compact Bone

• Dense and solid

• Organized into osteons

What is an osteon?

Structural unit of compact bone.

What are canaliculi?

Tiny channels that allow osteocytes to communicate and transport materials.

What is osteoid?

Organic bone matrix made mostly of collagen fibers.

What is the function of blood?

Transport.

What is the matrix of blood?

Plasma.

Erythrocyte

Red blood cell; transports oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Leukocyte

White blood cell; defense.

platelet

Blood clotting.

What is the function of muscle tissue?

Contraction to produce movement.

What muscle tissue is this?

Skeletal

• Voluntary

• Striated

• Multinucleated

• Moves bones

What muscle tissue is this?

Cardiac

• Heart

• Striated

• One nucleus

• Intercalated discs

What muscle tissue is this?

Smooth

• Involuntary

• No striations

• One nucleus

• Lines organs and tubes

Which muscle tissue is voluntary?

Skeletal muscle.

Which muscle tissue contains intercalated discs?

Cardiac muscle.

Which muscle tissue lines tubes and organs?

Smooth muscle.

What is the function of nervous tissue?

Communication

Neuron

Cell that sends and receives signals.

Glial Cell

Supporting/nurse cell that takes care of neurons.