Pages

Monday, June 28, 2010

Basic Anatomy - Tissues




There are many different types of cells in the human body. None of these cells function well on there own, they are part of the larger organism that is called - you.

Tissues
Cells group together in the body to form tissues - a collection of similar cells that group together to perform a specialized function. There are 4 primary tissue types in the human body: epithelial tissue, connective tissue, muscle tissue and nerve tissue.

1. Epithelial Tissue - The cells of epithelial tissue pack tightly together and form continuous sheets that serve as linings in different parts of the body. Epithelial tissue serve as membranes lining organs and helping to keep the body's organs separate, in place and protected. Some examples of epithelial tissue are the outer layer of the skin, the inside of the mouth and stomach, and the tissue surrounding the body's organs.

2. Connective Tissue - There are many types of connective tissue in the body. Generally speaking, connective tissue adds support and structure to the body. Most types of connective tissue contain fibrous strands of the protein collagen that add strength to connective tissue. Some examples of connective tissue include the inner layers of skin, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bone and fat tissue. In addition to these more recognizable forms of connective tissue, blood is also considered a form of connective tissue.

3. Muscle Tissue - Muscle tissue is a specialized tissue that can contract. Muscle tissue contains the specialized proteins actin and myosin that slide past one another and allow movement. Examples of muscle tissue are contained in the muscles throughout your body.

4. Nerve Tissue - Nerve tissue contains two types of cells: neurons and glial cells. Nerve tissue has the ability to generate and conduct electrical signals in the body. These electrical messages are managed by nerve tissue in the brain and transmitted down the spinal cord to the body.

Your body is made up of these 4 different types of tissue and that includes your urinary system, your reproductive organs and the core of your body (pelvic organs).

Why do you need to know this? Understanding what organs are made up of helps you understand the pain as well how equally important exercise and a low fat diet.

It also helps us to realize that the treatments for IC will not resolve your symptoms and in most cases the patient over time sustains more damage to all of the 4 tissues listed above.

I personally have had a dozen surgeries including c-sections, hysterectomy and the Interstim Implant (after 20 years of failed treatments) and all of these cause enormous damage to all 4 tissue types which only added to my pain. If I knew then what I know now I would have never agreed to a surgery that had little to no suscess in resolving my frequency, discomfort, and pain.

Wednesday post will talk about the what damage the tissue sustains when there is damage.

No comments:

Post a Comment