Histology Notes

Tissue: A group of similar cells that perform a special function.

It is composed of cells and extracellular matrix such as blood or bone.

Organs consist of 2 parts:

Parenchyma: the cellular part of the organ preforming the main function.
Stroma: provides support, made up of connective tissue.

Types of tissues:

Epithelial Tissue

2 types:
Covering: covers all external surfaces and lines the body’s cavities
Glandular: cells that specialise in secretion.

Consists of uninterrupted layer of tightly packed cells. In glands where there are pores, these holes are an invagination of epithelium.
There is always an attached surface (basal layer) and a free surface (apical layer)

Intercellular spaces in epithelium are small and these narrow spaces between cells are sealed off from external environment by cell junctions.

Principal function:
• covering, lining and protecting surfaces (i.e. skin, gut)
• secretion (glands)
• absorption (intestine)
• sensation (neuroepithelium)
• contractibility (myoepithelial cells

Connective tissue is always underlying epithelial tissue to support it.

Between these 2 tissues is the basement membrane which bounds the lamina propria to the epithelium. The free surface (apical) is exposed to the
outside and the basal surface is connected to the underlying lateral surface of the connective tissue.

Epithelium is avascular. It receives nutrients/oxygen/nerve impulses through the connective tissue that supports it through the basement membrane.
Connective tissue serves a mechanical and metabolic function to epithelial tissue.

Basement Membrane

It is formed by the secretion of both epithelial cells and connective tissue cells.
It separates the epithelium from the underlying connective tissue.
It allows some substances (selectively permeable) from connective tissue to supply epithelial tissue.

Composed of 2 layers:
• The basal lamina (20-100 nm thick) and consists of protein filaments (laminin, collagen, glycoproteins, proteoglycans) embedded in the
amorphous matrix. It is produced by epithelial cells.
• The reticular lamina consists of reticular fibres embedded in ground substance synthesised by cells of the connective tissue underlying the
epithelium.

Specialisations of the cell surface: Microvilli, cilia and flagella.

Microvilli: small, close together protrusions, meaty (thanks Kim), appears like a brush border. Allows for the increase in absorption hence found in G I
tract.

Cilia: numerous, short, hairlike projections. Found on respiratory epithelium to help eliminate foreign particles. This respiratory epithelium also has
goblet cells that produce mucus which will trap foreign particles and cilia will sweep them outside of the system.

Flagella: similar structure to cilia but longer and is limited to one per cell, spermatozoa.
Summary of Tissue Features

Tissue Justification Location Function Extra notes

Simple Squamous Consists of Lining of blood vessels

Diffusion
epithelium single layer of (endothelium), lining
(easier to
flattened, body diffuse across
irregularly cavities (mesothelium),
one layer) and
shaped cells; alveoli of lungs and
filtration.
with a flat Bowman’s capsuleSecretion in
centrally located (kidney) serous
nucleus. membranes.
Displays a
mosaic pattern.

Stratified Consists of Keratinised: Protect against

squamous several layers of epidermis mechanical
epithelium cells, with cells (upper part of abrasion.
appearing skin)
2 types: squamous Keratinised:
Keratinised: (flattened) at Non- protection and
tougher, dryer; apical surface keratinised: prevents water
contains protein and cells closer Lining of oral loss.
keratin that to basement cavity,
strengthens tissue. membrane oesophagus, Non-
Non-Keratinised: appearing anus, cervix, keratinised:
wet; called mucosa cuboidal to and vagina. Protection and
columnar. secretion.
Has rounded
nucleus,
centrally
located.
Simple columnar Consists of tall Gastro- Absorption
epithelium cells, appear intestinal tract,
columnar. Small intestine
Nuclei are
elongated and
may be located
towards the
base. Will have
microvilli
(appears like
brush border) on
the luminal
surface to help
with absorptive
properties. Will
also have goblet
cells.

Pseudostratified Consists of one Respiratory Protection,

columnar layer of cells - system secretion and if
epithelium appears to be including ciliated,
more as cells are trachea, movement of
Maybe ciliated or at different bronchi, nasal particles outside
nonciliated, though heights. All cells cavity and of airways.
majority are usually do rest on sinuses.
ciliated. basement
membrane. Exclusively
Columnar shape limited to
of cell. Random respiratory area.
placement of
rounded nucleus,
from base to cell
surface.
If ciliated, will
have goblet cells
 (release mucus).

Simple cuboidal Consists of one Lining of Absorption and

epithelium layer of cells, uterine tubes, secretion
with cells being ducts of
cubed shaped. salivary glands
Rounded, and lines the
centrally located kidney tubules.
nuclei.

Transitional In a relaxed Lines urinary Permits

epithelium (contracted) bladder and distention.
state, cells ureters.
So called as it appear more
transitions between rounded on
stratified cuboidal surface layer
and stratified (with prominent
squamous epithelia. strained central
nuclei) and more
cuboidal at
basement layer.
There may
appear to be
about 4 to 5 cell
layers thick. In a
stretched state,
will only appear
2 to 3 layers
 thick (though
no. of cell layers
has remained
constant) and the
cells appear
extremely
flattened.
Surface cells
may have a
‘scalloped
‘outline.

Remember: All connective tissue has ground substance, fibres and cells

Loose Consists of a Found in the Provides

connectiv large amount deepest layer strength,
e tissue of ground of the skin: support
(areolar) substance the and
with fibres subcutaneou elasticity.
randomly s layer.
placed. Purple Also around
stained line is blood
the elastic vessels.
fibre and pink
strained line
is the collagen
fibre. Round
fibres are the
fibroblasts
(which
produce
collagen)
Dense Random Found in Provides
irregular placement of dermis of strength
connectiv densely skin and
e tissue packed fibres around heart
that show valves.
both
transverse and
longitudinal
aspects of
collagen
fibres. Not
much ground
substance
evident.

Dense Densely Found in Provides

regular packed, tendons and strong
tissue regularly ligaments attachmen
arranged, t between
collagen fibre structures.
(appear wavy)
with scattered
fibroblasts
(stained as
purple)
present in
between rows.
Cells go in
one direction.
Not much
ground
substance
evident.
Adipose Lots of Found in Serves as
tissue ground subcutaneou an energy
substance s layer. reserve,
Fat storage between cells. Padding supports
cell. Cell around and
(adipocyte) is joints, protects.
roundish and around heart
stores a large and kidneys.
droplet of
triglycerides
inside which
displaces
nucleus is to
the side of the
cell.
Cytoplasm is
around the
rim of the cell
periphery
(cell
membrane).
Hyaline Roundish Most Creates a
Cartilage lacuna common smooth
containing type of surface for
chondrocyte cartilage. ease of
appears Found in the movement
whitish larynx, nose at joints.
embedded and end of Flexibility
within ground long bones. and
substance. support
Nucleus
within
chondrocyte
found off-
centre.
Cells within
the
perichondriu
m are called
chondrocytes.
Compact Concentric Found in Support,
Bone bony layers or long bones protection
lamellae are and
located storage.
around the House
central blood
haversian forming
canal. Fine tissue.
canaliculi
radiate from
each lacunae
which are
little cavities
filled with
osteocytes.
Skeletal Striated Usually Involved
Muscle muscle fibres located to in muscle
– light and bones by contractio
dark (with tendons n–
NO motion,
intercalated posture,
discs). heat
Numerous production
nucleuses, and
positioned on protection.
periphery of
cell. Presence
of connective
tissue
between
muscle fibres.
(Connective
tissue appears
as blue
scraggly lines
under
microscope).
Thick fibres
are myosin
and thin fibres
are actin.
Smooth Spindle Constriction Internal
muscle shaped fibres of blood structures
– thick in vessels and such as
middle and airways, blood
tapered at propulsion vessels,
ends. No of food stomach,
striations. through intestines.
Nuclei are gastro
centrally intestinal
located and tract.
oval shaped.
Cardiac Striated Heart wall Pumps
muscle muscle fibres blood to
with all parts of
intercalated the body.
discs joining
neighbouring
fibres.
Branched
cylindrical
fibres with
one centrally
located
nucleus.