Focus Tissue

Project
With a concentration on
connective tissue
By: Jameelah Mccregg

Epithelial Tissue
Covers the body surface and forms the
lining for most internal cavities. The
major function of epithelial tissue
includes protection, secretion,
absorption, and filtration. The skin is
an organ made up of epithelial tissue
which protects the body from dirt,
dust, bacteria and other microbes that
may be harmful. Cells of the epithelial
tissue have different shapes as shown
on the student's worksheet. Cells can
be thin, flat to cubic to elongated.
("Exploring Four Types of Tissues."
Exploring Four Types of Tissues.
Msnucleus.org, n.d. Web. 25 Jan.
2016.)

Muscular Tissue
There are three types of muscle tissue:
skeletal, smooth, and cardiac. Skeletal
muscle is a voluntary type of muscle
tissue that is used in the contraction of
skeletal parts. Smooth muscle is found
in the walls of internal organs and
blood vessels. It is an involuntary type.
The cardiac muscle is found only in the
walls of the heart and is involuntary in
nature. ("Exploring Four Types of
Tissues." Exploring Four Types of
Tissues. Msnucleus.org, n.d. Web. 25
Jan. 2016.)

Nervous Tissue
Nerve tissue is composed of
specialized cells which not
only receive stimuli but also
conduct impulses to and from
all parts of the body. Nerve
cells or neurons are long and
string-like. ("Exploring Four
Types of Tissues." Exploring
Four Types of Tissues.
Msnucleus.org, n.d. Web. 25
Jan. 2016.)

Focus Tissue: Connective

Tissue

Connective tissue is the most

abundant and the most widely
distributed of the tissues. Connective
tissues perform a variety of functions
including support and protection. The
following tissues are found in the
human body: ordinary loose
connective tissue, fat tissue, dense
fibrous tissue, cartilage, bone, blood,
and lymph, which are all considered
connective tissue. ("Exploring Four
Types of Tissues." Exploring Four
Types of Tissues. Msnucleus.org, n.d.
Web. 25 Jan. 2016.)

Classification/Types of Connective Tissues and

Functions
Connective tissue
type and
characteristics:

Functions:

Locations:

Areolar (loose)
connective tissue:
Loose array of random
fibers with a wide
variety of cell types.

Nourishes and cushions

epithelia, provides
arena for immune
defense against
infection, binds organs
together, allows
passage for nerves and
blood vessels through
other tissues.

Under all epithelia;

outer coverings of
blood vessels, nerves,
esophagus, and other
organs; fascia between
muscles; pleural and
pericardial sacs.

Adipose tissue (fat):

Large fat-filled
adipocytes and scanty
extracellular matrix.

Stores energy,
conserves body heat,
cushions and protects
many organs, fills
space, shapes body.

Beneath skin; around

kidneys, heart, and
eyes; breast;
abdominal membranes
(mesenteries).

Dense irregular

Toughness; protects

Dermis of skin;

Connective Tissue

How are Connective Tissues

identified?
Connective tissue is distinguished from the other types in that
the extracellular material (matrix) usually occupies more space
than the cells do, and the cells are relatively far apart.

Diseases

Diseases cont.
Connective tissue disease refers to a group of disorders involving the protein-rich
tissue that supports organs and other parts of the body. Examples of connective
tissue are fat, bone, and cartilage. These disorders often involve the joints,
muscles, and skin, but they can also involve other organs and organ systems,
including the eyes, heart, lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and blood vessels.
There are more than 200 disorders that affect the connective tissue.
Causes and specific symptoms vary by the different types.

Inherited Disorders of Connective Tissue

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB). People with EB have skin that is so

fragile that it tears or blisters as a result of a minor bump,
stumble, or even friction from clothing. Some forms of EB may
involve the digestive tract, the respiratory tract, the muscles, or
the bladder. Caused by defects of several proteins in the skin,
EB is usually evident at birth.
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). Actually a group of more than 10
disorders, EDS is characterized by over-flexible joints, stretchy
skin, and abnormal growth of scar tissue. Symptoms can range
from mild to disabling.