Characteristics of Four Basic Types of Tissue
1) Nervous-
- Cells-intertwining elongated processes
- ECM-none
- Main functions- transmission of nervous impulses
2) Epithelial-
- Cells-aggregated polyhedral cells
- ECM- very small amount
- Main f(x)n- lining of surface or body cavities, glandular secretion
3) Muscle-
- Elongated contractile cells
- ECM- moderate amount
- Main f(x)n- movement
4) Connective
- cells- several types of fixed and wandering cells
- ECM- abundant amount
- Main f(x)n- support and protection
The Preparation of Tissue for Light Microscopy
1) Fixation
- to preserve tissue morphology and molecular composition (12 h)
2) Dehydration in graded concentrated ethyl alcohol (70% up to 100%)
- to replace tissue water with organic solvents (6-24h)
3) Clearing in benzene, xylene or toluene
- to impregnate the tissues with a paraffin or a plastic resin solvent (1-6h)
4) Embedding in melted paraffin at 60 degrees C or plastic resin at room temperature
- paraffin or resin penetrates all intercellular spaces and even into the cells, making the tissues more resistant to sectioning (1-3h)
1) Fixation
2) Sectioning
3) Staining
Staining tissues
Epithelium
Functions of the Epithelium
Thin, simple- transport
Thick stratifed-protection
Simple squamous
Simple cuboidal
- covering and secretion
Simple columnar
- protection, lubrication, absorption, secretion
Pseudostatified
- protection, secretion; cilia-mediated transport of particles trapped in mucus
Transitional: domelike to flattened,depending on the functional state of the organ (type of pseudostratified)
- protection, distensibility
Stratified Squamous Keratinized
- protection; prevents water loss
Stratified Squamous (non-keratinized)
- protection, secretion; prevents water loss
Statified Cubodial
- protection, secretion
Stratified Columnar
- protection
General Features of Epithelial Cell Morphology
-polyhedral due to packing- columnar, cuboidal, squamous
Basal Lamina and Basement Membrane
Intercellular Adhesion and Intercellular Junctions
Cell Specialization
Rules for classifying epithelia
Myoepithelial cells
-branched contractile cells found in secretory units of mammary, sweat and salivary glands
Endothelium
-simple squamous epithelium lining blood and lymphatic vessels
Mesothelium
-simple squamous epithelium lining body cavities such as the peritoneum
Epithelioid cells
-some tissues contain cells that are closely associated so that they resemble an epithelium
Epithelial Cell Renewal