Histology Locations and Functions

Simple Squamous

Found in alveoli, blood vessels, glomerular capsule, heart, and ventral body cavity. It functions in gas exchanges, diffusion, lubrication, and protection

Stratified Squamous (non-keratinized)

Found in the wet surfaces of the mouth, esophagus, and vagina. It functions as a moist, protective barrier against mechanical stress, abrasion, and pathogens

Stratified Squamous (keratinized)

Found and forms the epidermis (outer lining of skin). It functions as protection of organs, prevents water loss, and barriers against pathogens

Simple Cuboidal

Found in kidneys, tubules, ducts of glands and covers the surface of ovaries. It functions in secretion, absorption, and protection

Stratified Cuboidal

Found in sweat, salivary, and mammary glands. It functions in protection and secretion

Simple Columnar

Found in the digestive tract, ducts in some glands, lines the fallopian tubes, bronchi and spinal cord. It functions in absorption, secretion of mucus, protection, and movement of substances with cilia

Stratified Columnar

Found in the epiglottis, urethra, and some glands. It functions in protecting mechanical and chemical damage, and secretion of mucus and enzymes

Pseudostratified Ciliated Columnar

Found in the upper respiratory tract, nasal cavity, and trachea. It functions to protect by moving particles out of the way of airways using cilia

Transitional Epithelial

Found in the bladder lining, urethra and ureters. It functions to expand and contract for urine, protect underlying tissue, and helpts urine flow

Glandular (exocrine)

Found in Brunners, intestinal, and sweat glands along with seminal vesicles. It functions to secrete sweat, tears, saliva, digestive enzymes and milk

Glandular (endocrine)

Found in the thyroid, adrenals, pituitary and langerhans. It functions to release hormones into the blood to control processes like metabolism, reproduction, growth, and mood

Loose or Areolar

Found around organs, underneath the skin and mucous membranes, and around blood vessels. It functions to support other tissues, fills spaces between organs, and provides a medium for transport of nutrients and waste products

Adipose

Found under skin, around organs, in abdomen and breasts. It functions to store and release energy, insulates the body, and cushions organs

Reticular

Found in the spleen, liver, and lymph nodes. It functions as a scaffolding or framework for soft organs, providing a structure for various cells

Elastic

Found in walls of aorta, trachea, vocal cords, and bronchial tubes. It functions to provide elasticity, resilliance, and flexibility, allowing it to stretch without losing their shape

Dense or Collagenous (regular)

Found in tendons, ligaments, and aponeuroses. It functions to provide strength and durability to withstand tensile forces in one direction, also connecting muscle to bone, and bone to bone

Dense or Collagenous (irregular)

Found in the dermis, submucosa of digestive tract, and fascia. It functions to provide structural strength by resisting tension in many different directions

Hyaline Cartilage

Found in costal cartilage of ribs, nose, trachea, ends of long bones, and embryonic skeleton. It functions to support and protect joints, smooth and low friction surface for joints, maintains joint stability, produce synovial fluid, regenerating cartilage tissue

Elastic Cartilage

Found in epiglottis and in external ear. It functions to provide support and flexibility to certain structures of body

Fibrocartilage

Found in pubic symphysis, intervertabral discs, and knee joints. It functions to cushion and shock absorption, support and connect structures, resist compression, facilitate joint movement, and repairs cartilage damage

Blood

Found in blood plasma, blood cells, and platelets. It functions to transport oxygen, and nutrients to cells and removes wastes such as carbon dioxide

Bone

Found in human bones. It functions to provide a framework for the body, support soft tissues and organs, and help with movement as the attachment point for muscles

Embryonic (mesenchymal)

Found in the embryo and gives rise to all adult connective tissues. It functions to provide structural support, help cell migration for organ development, and protect blood vessels

Smooth Muscle

Found in the walls of stomach, intestines, bladder, urinary tract, airways, reproductive system, blood vessels, lymph vessels, and skin. It functions movement of nutrients throughout organs, makes the organ shape and size, controls fluid flow, maintains tone and posture (like hair follicles)

Skeletal Muscle

Found throughout the human body, attached to bones and tendons. It functions to provide voluntary movements, maintains posture, and stabilize joints

Cardiac Muscle

Found only in the heart making up the thick layer called myocardium. It functions to contract and relax in a coordinated, involuntary manner

Peripheral Nerve (longitudinal)

Found throughout peripheral nervous system like the brain, spinal cord and rest of the body. It functions to conduct electrical impulses and axonal transport

Peripheral Nerve (cross section)

Found throughout peripheral nervous system like the brain, spinal cord and rest of the body. It functions to conduct electrical impulses and support neuronal function

Neuromuscular Junction

Found at the synapse between a motor neuron and a muscle fiber. It functions to transmit signals that trigger muscle contraction

Purkinje Cells

Found in the cerebellar cortex. It functions to integrate and relay motor coordination signals from the cerebellum to other parts of the brain

Motor Neuron

Found in the spinal cord and brainstem. It functions to transmit impulses from the central nervous system to skeletal muscles, facilitating voluntary movements and reflex actions

Pyramidal Cells

Found in the cerebral cortex. It functions to process and transmit information related to motor control and cognitive functions

Posterior Root Ganglion

Found in the spinal cord. It functions as a cluster of nerve cell bodies that relay sensory information from the peripheral nervous system to the central nervous system

Spinal Cord

A cylindrical bundle of nerve fibers and associated tissue that extends from the brainstem down the vertebral column. It functions as the main pathway for transmitting information between the brain and the body