Chapter 4: Histology Flashcards
Histology
Study of normal structures of tissues
All tissues share what two basic components?
- Discrete population of cells, related in structure and function
- Extracellular matrix (ECM)
Types of tissue
- Epithelial tissue (epithelium)
- Connective tissue
- Muscle tissue
- Nervous tissue
Epithelial tissue (epithelium)
- Covers a surface of lines cavities of the body
- Also forms glands
Connective tissue
Connects, supports, protects, insulates, and transports
Muscle tissue
Contracts to produce movement
Nervous tissue
Produces and conducts nervous impulses
Extracellular matrix
Substances in liquid, thick gel, or solid form that surrounds cells of tissue
Components of extracellular matrix
- Ground substance
- Protein fibers
Functions of extracellular matrix
- Provides tissue with strength to resist tensile and compressive forces
- Directs cells to proper positions within tissue and holds those cells in place
- Regulates development, mitotic activity, and survival of cells in a tissue
Ground Substance
- Most of the ECM
- Extracellular fluid (ECF or interstitial fluid) with water, nutrients, ions, and three families of macromolecules
Families of macromolecules in ground substance
- Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)
- Proteoglycans
- Cell-adhesion molecules (CAMs)
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)
Chondroitin sulfate (small) and hyaluronic acid
Proteoglycans
GAGs bound to protein core (resembles bottle brush)
- Thousands of proteoglycans bind to very long GAG to form huge proteoglycan “aggregates”
Cell-adhesion molecules (CAMs)
- Difference types of glycoproteins
- Adhere cell to cell and cells to surroundings
- Hold everything in place within ECM
- CAMs bind to cell surface proteins as well as protein fibers and proteoglycans
- Maintains normal tissue architecture
Types of protein fibers in ECM
- Collagen
- Reticular
- Elastic
Collagen Fibers
- Most common protein in body
- Strong, flexible, inelastic
- Unbranched and arranged in bundles
Reticular Fibers
- Fills spaces between tissues and organs
- Fine callagenous
- Forms branching networks
Elastic Fibers
- Returns to its original shape after distension or compression
- Contains molecules of protain elastic that resemble coiled springs
- Molecules are cross-linked
Cell Junctions
A way cells bind to one another
Integral Proteins
Proteins which link neighboring cell’s plasma membranes
Types of cell junctions
- Tight junctions
- Desmosomes
- Gap junctions
Tight Junctions
Holds cells together, forms permeability barrier
Zonula Adherens
- Between adjacent cells, weak glue holds cells together
- Simple epithelium
Zonula Occludens
- Permeability barrier (e.g. stomach and urinary bladder)
- Chemicals cannot pass between cells
Gap Junctions
- Protein channels aid intercellular communication
- Allows ions and small molecules to pass through
- Coordinate function of cardiac and smooth muscle
- May help coordinate movement of cilia in ciliated types of epithelium
Desmosomes
- Disk-shaped regions of cell membrane
- Often found in areas that are subjected to stress, can resist stretching and twisting
- Contains especially adhesives glycoproteins
- Intermediate protein filaments extend into cytoplasm of cells for reinforncement
- Striated squamous epithelium of the skin
Hemidesmosomes
- Half of a desmosome
- Attaches epithelial cells to basement membrane
Where are epithelial tissues located?
- On EVERY internal and external body surface
- Barrier between body and external environment
- Lines organs and fluid-filled cavities
Functions of Epithelial Tissue
- Protection: shields underlying tissues from mechanical and thermal injury
- Immune defenses: forms physical barriers to prevent invasion by microorganisms
- Secretion: forms glands that produce substances like hormones and oils; secreted into blood or through ducts respectively
- Transport into other tissues: selectively permeable membranes; substances are able to cross these barriers via passive or active transport and enter other tissues
- Sensation: most associated with rich nerve supply; detects changes in internal and external environments
What are the implications of the avascular nature of epithelial tissue?
- They must obtain oxygen and nutrients by diffusion from deeper tissues
- This requirement limits thickness
Components of basement membrane
- Basal lamina
- Reticular lamina
- Together these layers glue epithelial tissue and provide a barrier to underlying connective tissue
Basal Lamina
- ECM synthesized by epithelial cells
- Consists of collagen fibers and ground substance
Reticular Lamina
- Synthesized by underlying connective tissue
- Consists of reticular fibers and ground substance
Criteria for classifying epithelial tissue
- Number of cell layers
- Shape of cells
Simple epithelia
Single cell layer
Stratified epithelia
More than one cell layer
Squamous cells
Flattened
Cuboidal cells
Short
Columnar cells
Tall and elongated
Classifications of epithelial tissue
- Simple squamous
- Simple cuboidal
- Simple columnar
- Stratified squamous
- Stratified cuboidal
- Stratified columnar
Simple Squamous Structure
Single layer of flat cells
Simple Squamous Location
Lining of : - Blood vessels Lymphatic vessels and small ducts - Alveoli of lungs - Loop of Henle in kidney tubules - Serous membrane - Inner surface of the eardrum
Simple Squamous Functions
- Diffusion
- Filtration
- Some protection against friction
- Secretion
- Absorption
Simple Cuboidal Location
- Kidney tubules
- Sweat glands and their ducts
- Choroid plexus of the brain
- Lining of terminal bronchioles
- Surface of the ovaries
Simple Cuboidal Structure
- Single layer of short cells
- Some types have microvilli (kidney tubules)
Simple Cuboidal Functions
- Secretion and absorption in the kidney
- Secretion in glands and choroid plexus
- Movement of mucus out of the terminal
Simple Columnar Location
- Stomach
- Intestines
- Glands and some ducts
- Bronchioles of lungs
- Auditory tubes
- Uterus
- Uterine tubes
- Gallbladder
- Bile ducts
- Ventricles of the brain
Simple Columnar Structure
- Single layer of tall, narrow cells
- Some have cilia or microvilli
Simple Columnar Functions
- Secretion and absorption in stomach and the intestine
- Movement of particles out of the bronchioles by ciliated cells
- Aids in movement of oocytes in the uterine tubes by ciliated cells
Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium
- Appears layered because nuclei are at various heights
- Only one layer thick with basal plasma membranes
- Found in trachea and nasal cavity
- Ciliated
Stratified Squamous Locations
- Mouth
- Tongue
- Throat
- Larynx
- Esophagus
- Anus
- Vagina
- Inferior urethra
- Cornea
Stratified Squamous Structure
Multiple layers of flat cells
Stratified Squamous Functions
Protection against abrasion, caustic chemicals, water loss, and infection
Keratinized
Skin