Different Types of Animal Tissue – Anatomy Poster, 36×26″
by American Educational Products

All animal and human tissues fall into four specific categories of tissue: connective, muscle, nervous, and epithelial. Each one has a specific purpose, and the different types combine together to compose the various organs and body structures.

Connective tissues typically give shape to the organs, holding them in place. It also serves to give structure. Examples of connective tissues include blood and bone, both of which are represented here on this poster.

Muscle tissues are active, contractile tissues in the body, whose primary function is to produce force and cause motion. Separated into three sub-categories, visceral/smooth muscle, skeletal muscle, and cardiac muscle. The first is the inner linings of our organs, the second attaches to the bones to provide gross movement, and the third is functions to contract the heart and pump blood.

Nervous tissue comprises both the central and peripheral nervous systems, and forms organs such as the brain and spinal cord, as well as the motor neurons and cranial and spinal nerves.

The last type of tissue forms the biggest organ of all: our skin. Epilthelial tissue is not only responsible for forming our skin, but also the layers of the airways, reproductive tract, and the digestive tract. Its purpose is to protect organs from microorganisms, injury and fluid loss, by providing a barrier between our internal organs and the harsh, external environment.

The chart has biologically dyed photographs taken with a microscope of two sub-types of tissue for each of the four main types. Along with their photographs, there is also a brief overview of what their main purpose in the body is.