Connective tissue
Location
- Everywhere in the body excluding the brain and the spinal cord.
What is the difference between epithelial and connective tissue?
Basis for Epithelial tissue Connective tissue
Comparison
Definition Epithelial tissue is a type of animal tissue, Connective tissue is a type of
consisting of closely aggregated polyhedral animal tissue made up of cells,
cells connected firmly to one another in the fibers, and gel-like substances
form of cellular sheets that line the interior that supports and gives structure
of hollow organs and cover the body surface. to the body.
Embryonic Cells of the epithelial tissue originate from Cells of the connective tissue
development all three embryonic germ layers (ectoderm, are developed from the
mesoderm, and endoderm). mesodermal embryonic germ
layer.
Components The epithelial tissue is composed of The connective tissue is
epithelial cells and a small amount of composed of different cells and
extracellular matrix. a larger amount of extracellular
matrix.
Arrangement of The cells of the epithelial tissue are arranged The cells in the connective
cells cellular sheets either in single or multiple tissue are scattered throughout
layers. the matrix in no particular
arrangement.
Basement The cells in the innermost layer of epithelial No basement membrane is
Membrane tissue are connected to a basement found in connective tissue.
membrane.
Location Epithelial tissue forms the covering of Connective tissue is usually
various organs and thus is the outermost present underneath the epithelial
tissue in most organs. tissue.
Vascularity Epithelial tissue is avascular with no blood Connective tissue is vascular
supply. and thus is rich in blood vessels,
except for cartilages and
tendons.
Innervation Epithelial tissue also doesn’t have nerve Connective tissue is innervated
supplies. except for cartilage.
, Nutrition The cells in the epithelial tissue obtain their The nutrition in cells of
nutrition from the cells underneath via connective tissue is obtained
diffusion. through blood in the blood
vessels.
Bound by The cells are connected to each other by The cells are connected by
various cell junctions like desmosomes and elastin and collagen fibers along
hemidesmosomes. with blood vessels.
Types Epithelial tissue is divided into two major Connective tissues are also
types which are further divided into several divided into various types based
other types; on the type of cells and the
1. Covering epithelium components of the extracellular
a. Simple epithelium matrix;
b. Stratified epithelium 1. Loose connective tissue
c. Pseudostratified epithelium 2. Dense connective tissue
d. Transitional epithelium 3. Cartilage
2. Glandular epithelium 4. Bones
5. Liquid connective tissue
a. Blood
b. Lymph
Abundant Epithelial tissue is less abundant than Connective tissue is the most
connective tissue. abundant animal tissue.
Immune function Epithelial tissue acts as a protective barrier Connective tissue consists of
against foreign invaders. cells like mast cells and
macrophages that destroy
pathogenic organisms via
phagocytosis.
Secretion Glandular epithelium secretes enzymes and Connective tissue doesn’t
hormones that are essential for various secrete such metabolically
metabolic activities. active substances.
Found in Epithelial tissue is found in various organs Connective tissue is the tissue
like skin, buccal cavity, the lining of blood that forms the bones, cartilages,
vessels, body cavities, glands, and their adipose tissue, reticular tissue,
ducts. and the blood.
Arrangement:
- In epithelial tissues, cells are arranged in continuous sheets, in either single or multiple layers.
- In connective tissues, the cells are separated/isolated from each other and are surrounded by ground
substance (matrix). Running through the connective tissue, there will be fibres of some sort (most
likely collagen as they are the most abundant proteins in the body)
Nutrition:
Location
- Everywhere in the body excluding the brain and the spinal cord.
What is the difference between epithelial and connective tissue?
Basis for Epithelial tissue Connective tissue
Comparison
Definition Epithelial tissue is a type of animal tissue, Connective tissue is a type of
consisting of closely aggregated polyhedral animal tissue made up of cells,
cells connected firmly to one another in the fibers, and gel-like substances
form of cellular sheets that line the interior that supports and gives structure
of hollow organs and cover the body surface. to the body.
Embryonic Cells of the epithelial tissue originate from Cells of the connective tissue
development all three embryonic germ layers (ectoderm, are developed from the
mesoderm, and endoderm). mesodermal embryonic germ
layer.
Components The epithelial tissue is composed of The connective tissue is
epithelial cells and a small amount of composed of different cells and
extracellular matrix. a larger amount of extracellular
matrix.
Arrangement of The cells of the epithelial tissue are arranged The cells in the connective
cells cellular sheets either in single or multiple tissue are scattered throughout
layers. the matrix in no particular
arrangement.
Basement The cells in the innermost layer of epithelial No basement membrane is
Membrane tissue are connected to a basement found in connective tissue.
membrane.
Location Epithelial tissue forms the covering of Connective tissue is usually
various organs and thus is the outermost present underneath the epithelial
tissue in most organs. tissue.
Vascularity Epithelial tissue is avascular with no blood Connective tissue is vascular
supply. and thus is rich in blood vessels,
except for cartilages and
tendons.
Innervation Epithelial tissue also doesn’t have nerve Connective tissue is innervated
supplies. except for cartilage.
, Nutrition The cells in the epithelial tissue obtain their The nutrition in cells of
nutrition from the cells underneath via connective tissue is obtained
diffusion. through blood in the blood
vessels.
Bound by The cells are connected to each other by The cells are connected by
various cell junctions like desmosomes and elastin and collagen fibers along
hemidesmosomes. with blood vessels.
Types Epithelial tissue is divided into two major Connective tissues are also
types which are further divided into several divided into various types based
other types; on the type of cells and the
1. Covering epithelium components of the extracellular
a. Simple epithelium matrix;
b. Stratified epithelium 1. Loose connective tissue
c. Pseudostratified epithelium 2. Dense connective tissue
d. Transitional epithelium 3. Cartilage
2. Glandular epithelium 4. Bones
5. Liquid connective tissue
a. Blood
b. Lymph
Abundant Epithelial tissue is less abundant than Connective tissue is the most
connective tissue. abundant animal tissue.
Immune function Epithelial tissue acts as a protective barrier Connective tissue consists of
against foreign invaders. cells like mast cells and
macrophages that destroy
pathogenic organisms via
phagocytosis.
Secretion Glandular epithelium secretes enzymes and Connective tissue doesn’t
hormones that are essential for various secrete such metabolically
metabolic activities. active substances.
Found in Epithelial tissue is found in various organs Connective tissue is the tissue
like skin, buccal cavity, the lining of blood that forms the bones, cartilages,
vessels, body cavities, glands, and their adipose tissue, reticular tissue,
ducts. and the blood.
Arrangement:
- In epithelial tissues, cells are arranged in continuous sheets, in either single or multiple layers.
- In connective tissues, the cells are separated/isolated from each other and are surrounded by ground
substance (matrix). Running through the connective tissue, there will be fibres of some sort (most
likely collagen as they are the most abundant proteins in the body)
Nutrition:
