Tissue (biology)

A tissue is an organized group of cells and their surrounding material that performs a shared function in a living organism. Its cells may be similar or different, but work together as a unit.

Cell: The smallest structural and functional unit of living organisms. Tissues consist of cells organized to perform shared functions.
Tissue architecture: The spatial organization of cells and extracellular material within a tissue. Arrangement determines how cells interact and how the tissue performs its function.
Histology: The study of the microscopic structure of cells and tissues. Histology reveals tissue organization in healthy and diseased samples.
Epithelium: A tissue that covers body surfaces, lines cavities, and forms many glands. It is one of the four major tissue types in animals.
Extracellular matrix: A network of molecules outside cells that provides structural support and biochemical signals. This material surrounds many tissue cells and helps organize their behavior.
Cell signaling: The transmission of information between cells through chemical or physical signals. Signals coordinate cell activity across a tissue.
Biopsy: The removal of tissue from a living body for diagnostic examination. Biopsy samples allow clinicians to assess tissue structure and disease.
Connective tissue: A tissue type that supports, connects, or separates other tissues, often through abundant extracellular material. Its matrix-rich structure contrasts with tightly packed epithelial cells.
Cell adhesion: The attachment of cells to one another or to surrounding material through molecular interactions. Adhesion helps hold tissue cells together and maintain their arrangement.
Tissue homeostasis: The regulation that keeps a tissue's composition and function within a stable range. Balanced cell renewal and loss maintain tissue function over time.

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