The Study of Tissues

Objectives

When you have completed this section, you should be able to

• visualize the three-dimensional shape of a structure from a two-dimensional tissue section;
• name the three embryonic primary germ layers and the adult tissues derived from each; and
• list the four primary categories into which all adult tissues can be classified.

Think About It

Elastic tissue can occur as stretchy fibers or as sheets similar to layers of lasagna. In a tissue section stained for elastic tissue, how could you tell whether you were looking at a fiber or sheet?

Key Point Review

1. Define histology and explain its place in the hierarchy of structure discussed in chapter 1.

2. Discuss three ways in which the microscopic appearance of a prepared tissue specimen is unnatural.

3. Name the four primary tissue types and concisely state what distinguishes each one from the other three.

Excitable Tissues

Objectives

When you have completed this section, you should be able to

• list the functions of muscular tissue;
• explain how the three types of muscular tissue differ from each other;
• describe the basic cell types of nervous tissue; and
• define the major parts of a nerve cell.

Think About It

How is the shape of a skeletal muscle fiber adapted to its function? What cell shapes would not serve this function as well?

Key Point Review

4. List at least five functions of muscle tissue.

5. Explain how the three types of muscle tissue can be distinguished from each other. Where can each type be found?

6. Which two types of muscle tissue are striated? Which two types are involuntary? What is meant by the terms striated and involuntary?

7. Describe the three principal parts of a neuron and state their functions.

Embryonic and Fibrous Connective Tissues

Objectives

When you have completed this section, you should be able to

• list the properties most connective tissues have in common;
• list the four major types of connective tissue;
• list the types of cells and fibers in connective tissue;
• discuss the composition of the ground substance; and
• describe the various types of embryonic and fibrous connective tissues and state their functions.

Think About It

How does the meaning of the word fiber differ in the following usages: muscle fiber, nerve fiber, and connective tissue fiber?

Think About It

Why do infants and children need more brown fat than adults do?

Key Point Review

8. What are the two principal components of the matrix of connective tissue?

9. What is a GAG and what are some of its functions?

10. What three kinds of fibers are found in connective tissue?

11. Describe four types of cells found in connective tissue and state the functions of each.

12. List four types of fibrous connective tissue and state where each could be found.

Supportive and Fluid Connective Tissues

Objectives

When you have completed this section, you should be able to

• explain how the three kinds of cartilage differ in structure and function;
• compare the two types of bone;
• list the connective tissue components of teeth; and
• compare and contrast blood and lymph.

Key Point Review

13. What is a perichondrium? What type of connective tissue is it made of? What type of connective tissue does it surround?

14. Where in the body can each type of cartilage be found?

15. What are lacunae? What two types of cells occur in lacunae?

16. What are the formed elements of blood? Name the three major types. What is the matrix of blood called?

17. List five functions of connective tissue, including a connective tissue responsible for each one.

Epithelial Tissue

Objectives

When you have completed this section, you should be able to

• describe the defining characteristics and functions of epithelium;
• describe the basement membrane on which epithelium rests; and
• explain how epithelia are classified and describe the different types.

Key Point Review

18. Give two reasons why an epithelium almost always rests on a layer of areolar tissue.

19. What is the criterion for dividing all eight kinds of epithelia into two large groups?

20. List the eight types of epithelia and state one of the most common functions performed by each.

Intercellular Junctions, Glands, and Membranes

Objectives

When you have completed this section, you should be able to

• describe three types of junctions that hold cells together;
• distinguish between endocrine and exocrine glands;
• describe the typical anatomy of an exocrine gland;
• compare the different types of exocrine secretions and the methods by which they are produced;
• describe how tissues are organized into membranes;
• list the body's major membrane types.

Think About It

Why would a desmosome not be a suitable intercellular junction for the epithelium of the stomach?

Key Point Review

21. Describe the structure of tight junctions and gap junctions. In each case, relate structure to function.

22. Distinguish a simple gland from a compound gland and a tubular gland from an acinar gland.

23. Contrast the merocrine and holocrine methods of secretion.

24. What are the differences between mucous and serous membranes?

Tissue Transformations

Objectives

When you have completed this section, you should be able to

• describe the growth processes, degenerative changes, and other transformations that take place in tissues;
• explain how damaged tissue is repaired.

Key Point Review

25. Define hypertrophy, neoplasia, hyperplasia, and metaplasia.

26. How does atrophy differ from necrosis?

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