Lecture 2 Tissues

What are the four basic tissue types?

Epithelial, connective, muscular, and nervous

Epithelial tissue structure

Densely packed cells with a very little extracellular matrix. Avascular, but innervated. Fast regeneration (frequent mitosis)

Epithelial tissue Functions

Lines most surfaces and forms most glands. Regulates movement of substances through/across tissues. Separates body compartments and forms sensory organs (w/ nervous tissue)

General anatomy of epithelial tissue?

Cells are separated by minimal extracellular matrix. Cells exhibit polarity : there is an apical (free) surface and basal surface (attached to a basement membrane)

What are general functions of epithelial tissue?

Regulate movement, separates body compartment, forms parts of sensory organs (w/nervous tissue) to basement membrane

What is ground substance?

Jelly like substance that fills empty space between cells and fibers in connective tissue. 90% water and 10% protein.

Elastic fibers

Medium proteins and adds recoil

What are reticular fibers?

Tiny specialized collagen bundles that form stroma of soft organs.