Parenchyma the functional tissue of an organ as distinguished from the connective and
supporting tissue
Stroma, the cells of which have a supporting role in the organ (Except in the brain and
spinal cord, the stroma is always connective tissue)
Epithelia cells (thin layer of ECM) line cavities of organs and cover the body surface with 3
main functions:
1. Secretion (glands)
2. Absorption (intestinal lining)
3. Covering, lining and protecting surfaces (epidermis)
Specific cells of certain epithelia may be contractile (myo-epithelial cells) or specialized
sensory cells, such as those of taste buds or the olfactory epithelium.
Can be of 3 sizes and shapes:
Columnar
Cuboidal
Squamous
Most epithelia rest on connective tissue that contains
microvasculature bringing nutrients and O2
The connective tissue that underlies the epithelia lining the
organs of the digestive, respiratory, and urinary systems is called
the lamina Propria.
Papillae: evaginations between epithelium and connective tissue
Epithelial and adjacent connective
to reduce friction (skin or tongue)
tissue
Nutrients for epithelial cells must
diffuse across the basement membrane.
Nerve fibers normally penetrate this
structure, but small blood capillaries
(being epithelial themselves) normally
never enter epithelia.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller OGN. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $6.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.