Summarizing Animal Primary Tissues

Summary

The basic building blocks of complex animals are four primary tissues. These are combined to form organs, which have a specific, specialized function within the body, such as the skin or kidney. Organs are organized together to perform common functions in the form of systems. The four primary tissues are epithelia, connective tissues, muscle tissues, and nervous tissues.

Glossary

canaliculus

microchannel that connects the lacunae and aids diffusion between cells

cartilage

type of connective tissue with a large amount of ground substance matrix, cells called chondrocytes, and some amount of fibers

chondrocyte

cell found in cartilage

columnar epithelia

epithelia made of cells taller than they are wide, specialized in absorption

connective tissue

type of tissue made of cells, ground substance matrix, and fibers

cuboidal epithelia

epithelia made of cube-shaped cells, specialized in glandular functions

epithelial tissue

tissue that either lines or covers organs or other tissues

fibrous connective tissue

type of connective tissue with a high concentration of fibers

lacuna

space in cartilage and bone that contains living cells

loose (areolar) connective tissue

type of connective tissue with small amounts of cells, matrix, and fibers; found around blood vessels

matrix

component of connective tissue made of both living and non-living (ground substances) cells

osteon

subunit of compact bone

pseudostratified

layer of epithelia that appears multilayered, but is a simple covering

simple epithelia

single layer of epithelial cells

squamous epithelia

type of epithelia made of flat cells, specialized in aiding diffusion or preventing abrasion

stratified epithelia

multiple layers of epithelial cells

trabecula

tiny plate that makes up spongy bone and gives it strength

transitional epithelia

epithelia that can transition for appearing multilayered to simple; also called uroepithelial