Flashcards Anatomy and Histology: Skin, Connective Tissues, and Epithelial Types

What tissue provides support and protection, and serves as a storage reservoir for calcium?

Bone tissue.

What tissue forms tendons and ligaments?

Dense regular connective tissue.

What tissue insulates against heat loss, serves as a reserve source of fuel, and also provides support and protection?

Adipose tissue.

What tissue provides tensile strength with the ability to absorb compressive shock?

Fibrocartilage.

What tissue is composed of blood cells in a fluid matrix?

Blood (connective tissue).

What is simple cuboidal epithelium?

A type of epithelial tissue that consists of a single layer of cube-shaped cells, often found in glands and ducts.

What is cardiac muscle?

A type of involuntary striated muscle found only in the heart.

What is simple squamous epithelium?

A single layer of flat cells that facilitates diffusion and filtration.

What is stratified squamous epithelium?

Multiple layers of flat cells that protect underlying tissues in areas subject to abrasion.

What is skeletal muscle?

A type of voluntary striated muscle attached to bones, responsible for movement.

What epithelial membrane lines the closed ventral cavities of the body?

Serous membrane.

What epithelial membrane lines body cavities open to the exterior?

Mucous membrane.

What consists of keratinized stratified squamous epithelium?

The epidermis of the skin.

What lines the digestive and respiratory tracts?

Mucous membrane.

What makes up the pleura, pericardium, and peritoneum?

Serous membranes.

What lines blood vessels and the heart?

Endothelium.

What provides structural support and flexibility for the external ear and epiglottis?

Elastic cartilage.

What forms much of the fetal skeleton and covers the articular surfaces of long bones?

Hyaline cartilage.

What pulls on bones or skin causing body movements?

Skeletal muscle.

What moves food through the GI tract?

Smooth muscle.

What resists wear and tear in areas subject to abrasion?

Stratified squamous epithelium.

True or False: The shock-absorbing pads between the vertebrae are formed of fibrocartilage.

True.

True or False: Tendons and ligaments are composed mainly of dense irregular connective tissue.

False; they are mainly composed of dense regular connective tissue.

True or False: Macrophages are found in areolar and lymphatic tissues.

True.

True or False: Goblet cells are found within pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium.

True.

True or False: Epithelial tissues always exhibit polarity.

True.

True or False: Simple cuboidal epithelia are usually found in areas where secretion and absorption occur.

True.

True or False: Epithelial cells contain both blood vessels and nerve fibers.

False; epithelial cells do not contain blood vessels.

True or False: Elastic cartilage tissue is found in the walls of the large arteries that leave the heart.

False; elastic cartilage is found in structures like the ear.

True or False: Merocrine glands produce their secretions by accumulating their secretions internally until the cell ruptures.

False; merocrine glands secrete by exocytosis.

Heart muscle cells would tend to separate without ________.

Intercalated discs, which connect cardiac muscle cells and allow them to function as a unit.

Blood vessels keep clots from sticking as long as their ________ is intact and healthy.

Endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels that maintains a smooth surface.

Which is true concerning muscle tissue?

Muscle tissue is highly cellular and well vascularized, allowing for efficient contraction and movement.

The first step in tissue repair involves ________.

Inflammation, which is the body's initial response to injury.

What are the three main components of connective tissue?

Ground substance, fibers, and cells, which together provide support and structure.

Select the correct statement regarding tissue repair.

Inflammation causes capillaries to dilate and become permeable, allowing for healing processes to begin.

Select the correct statement regarding epithelia.

Depending on the functional state of the bladder, transitional epithelium may resemble stratified squamous or stratified cuboidal epithelium.

Select the correct statement regarding adipose tissue.

Its primary function is nutrient storage, serving as an energy reserve.

Which of the following is NOT a step in tissue repair?

Formation of new stem cells; the steps typically include inflammation, regeneration, and fibrosis.

Mesenchymal cells are most commonly found in ________ connective tissue.

Embryonic connective tissue, which is involved in the development of various tissues.

Which tissue type would likely function to help protect the kidneys?

Adipose tissue, which provides cushioning and insulation.

Select the correct statement regarding exocrine glands.

The secretory cells of holocrine glands release their product by rupturing.

What functional purpose do glycosaminoglycans serve in ground substance?

As polar polysaccharides, they can attract and trap water molecules to serve as a gel-like water reserve in the extracellular matrix.

Choose which tissue would line the uterine (fallopian) tubes and function as a 'conveyer belt' to help move a fertilized egg towards the uterus.

Ciliated simple columnar epithelium, which has cilia that help move substances along the surface.

Skin, lung, and blood vessel walls have which tissue characteristic in common?

Simple squamous epithelium, which facilitates diffusion and filtration.

Generally speaking, connective tissues are largely non-living extracellular matrix. Which of the following is an EXCEPTION?

Blood, which is a fluid connective tissue with living cells suspended in a liquid matrix.

Which tissue in the wall of the uterus is required for labor contractions?

Smooth muscle, which contracts to facilitate childbirth.

Site of the dermal ridges that produce epidermal ridges on the epidermal surfaces of the fingers.

Papillary layer of the dermis, which contains dermal papillae that create fingerprints.

Responsible for shock absorption and located in the hypodermis.

Adipose tissue, which cushions and insulates the body.

Pulls the hair follicle into an upright position.

Arrector pili muscle, which causes goosebumps.

Contains dense irregular connective tissue.

Reticular layer of the dermis, which provides strength and elasticity.

The most abundant cells of the epidermis.

Keratinocytes, which produce keratin for protection.

Spider-shaped epithelial cells that synthesize the pigment melanin.

Melanocytes, which protect against UV radiation.

Cells connected to a disc-like sensory nerve ending that together function as a sensory receptor for touch.

Tactile epithelial cells, also known as Merkel cells.

Skin macrophages that help activate the immune system.

Dendritic cells, which capture and present antigens.

The fibrous protein that helps give the epidermis its protective properties.

Keratin, which provides strength and waterproofing.

The layer of the epidermis where the cells are considered protective but nonviable.

Stratum corneum, the outermost layer of dead keratinized cells.

This layer contains thick bundles of intermediate filaments made of pre-keratin that anchor the cells together at desmosomes.

Stratum spinosum, which provides strength and flexibility.

The layer that contains the mitotic viable cells of the epidermis.

Stratum basale, where new skin cells are generated.

The layer of the epidermis that contains flattening cells with granules that help slow water loss across the epidermis.

Stratum granulosum, which aids in waterproofing.

May indicate embarrassment, fever, hypertension, inflammation, anger, or allergy.

Erythema, which is redness of the skin.

May indicate fear, anemia, or low blood pressure.

Pallor, which is paleness of the skin.

Usually indicates a liver disorder.

Jaundice, which causes yellowing of the skin.

Occurs when blood vessels are damaged and leak blood into the surrounding tissue.

Ecchymoses (bruises), which are discolorations resulting from bleeding.

A bluish color, especially in the lips and fingernails.

Cyanosis, which indicates low oxygen levels in the blood.

The apocrine sweat glands are fairly unimportant in thermoregulation.

True; they primarily function in scent production.

The dense fibrous connective tissue portion of the skin is located in the reticular region of the dermis.

True; this region provides strength and elasticity.

The protein found in large amounts in the superficial layer of epidermal cells is collagen.

False; it is keratin that is abundant in the epidermis.

Joe just burned himself on a hot pot. A blister forms and the burn is quite painful. Joe's burn would best be described as a third-degree burn.

False; a blister indicates a second-degree burn.

The reason that the nail bed appears pink is the presence of a large number of melanocytes in the underlying dermis.

False; it is due to the presence of blood vessels.

During the resting phase of hair growth, the matrix is inactive and the follicle shrinks.

True; this phase is known as the telogen phase.

The skin cancer most likely to metastasize is cancer of the melanocytes.

True; melanoma is aggressive and can spread rapidly.

The skin is not able to receive stimuli because the cells of the epidermis are not living and therefore there are no sensory receptors in the skin.

False; sensory receptors are present in the dermis.

Blood vessels are only found in the dermis of the skin, not the epidermis.

True; the epidermis is avascular.

A physician is often able to detect homeostatic imbalances in the body by observing changes in the skin color.

True; skin color changes can indicate various health issues.

Apocrine glands begin functioning at puberty and include ceruminous and mammary glands.

True; these glands are associated with scent and milk production.

Melanin protects the nucleus from the damaging effects of UV radiation.

True; melanin absorbs UV light and reduces DNA damage.

Cells in the stratum corneum undergo mitosis to keep the layer thick and protective.

False; cells in this layer are dead and do not undergo mitosis.

What causes the pinkish hue in fair-skinned individuals?

The pinkish hue is caused by the crimson color of oxygenated hemoglobin in red blood cells circulating in the dermal capillaries and reflecting through the epidermis.

What does 'third-degree burns' indicate?

Third-degree burns indicate burns that cover approximately one-third or more of the body.

How does thick skin differ from thin skin?

Thick skin has a more extensive dermal layer than thin skin.

What is the function of the arrector pili muscle?

The arrector pili muscle causes hair to stand up, similar in function across mammals, but its benefits may differ.

Do all humans have the same number of melanocytes?

Yes, regardless of race, all human beings have about the same number of melanocytes.

What is the most common cause of third-degree burns?

The most common cause of third-degree burns is simple sunburn.

What happens to dermal blood vessels in extremely low temperatures?

In extremely low air temperatures, dermal blood vessels will dilate to dissipate blood and heat.

What is the single most important risk factor for skin cancer?

The single most important risk for skin cancer is overexposure to UV radiation.

What is the function of the root hair plexus?

The root hair plexus allows the hair to assist in touch sensation.

Why does the hypodermis act as a shock absorber?

The hypodermis acts as a shock absorber because it is primarily made up of adipose tissue, which effectively absorbs shock.

Which type of skin cancer is the most dangerous?

Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer because it is highly metastatic and resistant to chemotherapy.

Which cells activate the immune system?

Dendritic cells are responsible for activating the immune system.

How do melanocytes and keratinocytes work together?

Melanocytes and keratinocytes work together by keratinocytes accumulating melanin granules on their superficial portion, forming a UV-blocking pigment layer.

Which epidermal layer is responsible for cell division?

The stratum basale is responsible for cell division and replacement in the epidermis.

What protects against excessive water loss through the skin?

Glycolipids secreted by keratinocytes of the stratum granulosum protect against excessive water loss.

What cell types are found in the dermis?

The dermis contains fibroblasts, macrophages, and mast cells.

Which layer of the dermis constitutes 80% of its thickness?

The reticular layer constitutes 80% of the dermis and is responsible for the tension lines in the skin.

What indicates previous stretching or tearing of the dermis?

The appearance of visible, silvery-white scars indicates that the dermis has been previously stretched or torn.

What is the composition of the papillary layer of the dermis?

The papillary layer is composed of loosely packed connective tissue with peg-like projections that increase surface area for nutrient delivery.

What do friction ridges indicate?

Friction ridges are genetically determined and differ among individuals but are similar between identical twins.

How does the body protect the skin from UV damage?

The body protects the skin from UV damage through the synthesis of melanin, which acts as a natural sunscreen.

What skin color change indicates liver disease?

An abnormal yellowish tint in the skin and sclera of the eyes indicates liver disease such as hepatitis.