Introduction to Histology

Study Notes

Epithelial Tissue:
- Forms the lining of organs and glands
- Functions: protection, absorption, secretion, excretion
Connective Tissue:
- Provides support, structure, and connectivity
- Functions: binding, supporting, storing energy
Muscle Tissue:
- Enables movement and contraction
- Functions: movement, stability, regulation of body temperature
Nervous Tissue:
- Transmits and processes information
- Functions: integration, coordination, control

Simple Epithelium:
- Single layer of cells
- Functions: absorption, secretion, filtration
Stratified Epithelium:
- Multiple layers of cells
- Functions: protection, barrier formation
Pseudostratified Epithelium:
- Single layer of cells with nuclei at different levels
- Functions: cilia movement, secretion

Connective Tissue Proper:
- Loose connective tissue
- Dense connective tissue
Specialized Connective Tissue:
- Cartilage
- Bone
- Adipose tissue
- Blood

Neurons:
- Basic unit of nervous tissue
- Receive, integrate, and transmit information
Neuroglia:
- Supporting cells of nervous tissue
- Functions: protection, nutrition, maintenance

Histology is the study of the microscopic structure of tissues and cells
Understanding histology is essential for understanding human anatomy and physiology

Forms the lining of organs and glands
Functions: protection, absorption, secretion, and excretion
Types of epithelial tissue:
- Simple epithelium: single layer of cells, functions: absorption, secretion, filtration
- Stratified epithelium: multiple layers of cells, functions: protection, barrier formation
- Pseudostratified epithelium: single layer of cells with nuclei at different levels, functions: cilia movement, secretion

Provides support, structure, and connectivity
Functions: binding, supporting, storing energy
Types of connective tissue:
- Connective tissue proper: loose and dense connective tissue
- Specialized connective tissue: cartilage, bone, adipose tissue, and blood

Enables movement and contraction
Functions: movement, stability, regulation of body temperature
Types of muscle tissue:
- Skeletal muscle: voluntary muscle, attached to bones
- Smooth muscle: involuntary muscle, found in walls of hollow organs
- Cardiac muscle: involuntary muscle, found in the heart

Transmits and processes information
Functions: integration, coordination, control
Components of nervous tissue:
- Neurons: basic unit of nervous tissue, receive, integrate, and transmit information
- Neuroglia: supporting cells of nervous tissue, functions: protection, nutrition, maintenance