Anatomy A215 Virtual Microscopy

Anatomy A215 Virtual Microscopy

Chapter 2: Epithelial and Connective Tissues

Epithelia form layers covering surfaces or lining cavities; they often fold inward to form glands. They may consist of a single layer of cells (simple) or more than one layer (stratified); they lie on a very thin basement membrane. The side of an epithelial layer opposite the basement membrane is called its free surface.

See simple squamous and simple cuboidal epithelia on the KIDNEY slide in Chapter 10;
See simple columnar epithelium on the SMALL INTESTINE slide in Chapter 9;
See pseudostratified (ciliated) columnar epithelium on the TRACHEA slide in Chapter 8;
See stratified squamous epithelium on the THICK SKIN slide in Chapter 3;
See transitional epithelium on the URETER slide in Chapter 10.

Connective tissues consist of three basic components: cells, fibers, and ground substance. The proportions and nature of these three components vary in the different connective tissues depending on their location and function.

	In this slide of AREOLAR CONNECTIVE TISSUE (often called simply “loose connective” tissue), observe the loose and unorganized arrangement of the collagen fibers. Click for slide page.
	Adipose tissue is a form of connective tissue consisting largely of fat cells (adipocytes). View this slide of MESENTERY to see an example of adipose tissue. Click for slide page.
	In this section of SKIN, you can see dense irregular connective tissue. Examine the tissue deep to the darkly stained epithelium; note how the components are arranged randomly. Click for slide page.
	In this slide of TENDON, a good example of dense regular connective tissue, note that the fibers have an orderly and linear arrangement. Click for slide page.

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