Physiology of excitable tissue

Abstract

The four basic types of tissue found in the body are connective tissue, epithelial tissue, muscle tissue, and nervous tissue. Nerves and muscles are capable of generating and propagating action potentials (APs). They are therefore called excitable tissues. Excitation of these tissues may be electrical, chemical, or mechanical. The human body relies on the proper functioning of excitable tissues to facilitate vital physiological processes, including muscle contraction, nerve conduction, and cardiac activity.^1,2