ANAT-M1: S3: Basic Tissue - Epithelium Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering epithelial tissue definition, characteristics, functions, classifications, and specific epithelial types.

Epithelium

Tissue composed of closely apposed (side by side) cells with very little or no intervening intercellular substance.

Covering Epithelium

A type of epithelial tissue that functions to cover external and internal body surfaces.

Glandular Epithelium

A type of epithelial tissue that functions to produce and secrete products, such as hormones.

Cellularity

A characteristic of epithelial tissue where adjacent epithelial cells are joined together by specialized junctions, including tight junctions, adhering junctions, desmosomes, and gap junctions.

Polarity

A characteristic of epithelial cells where the cell has an exposed apical surface facing the exterior of the body or internal space, and a basal surface attached to underlying tissue.

Attachment (Epithelium)

A characteristic of epithelial tissue where cells rest on and are attached to the basal lamina (basement membrane).

Avascularity

A characteristic of epithelial tissue indicating it has no direct blood supply, meaning cells receive nutrients from blood vessels in underlying tissues.

Epithelial Regeneration

A characteristic of epithelial tissue in which cells are continuously renewed.

Permeability (Epithelial Function)

An epithelial function that allows substances to be absorbed into the body, such as the lining of the digestive system absorbing nutrients from food.

Sensation (Epithelial Function)

An epithelial function in which specialized cells detect sensory stimuli, such as skin detecting tactile senses or the tongue sensing taste.

Secretion (Epithelial Function)

An epithelial function in which specialized cells secrete specific substances, such as skin secreting lubricating oil or enzymes.

Simple Organization

An epithelial classification describing tissue that is only one cell layer thick.

Stratified Organization

An epithelial classification describing tissue that is two or more cell layers thick, where only the deepest layer of cells is in contact with the basal lamina.

Squamous Cell Shape

An epithelial cell shape characterized by being flat (thin), wide, and somewhat irregular in shape.

Cuboidal Cell Shape

An epithelial cell shape characterized by being about the same size on all sides, with a centrally located nucleus.

Columnar Cell Shape

An epithelial cell shape characterized by being taller than they are wide, with an oval nucleus located in the basal region of the cell.

Epithelial Naming Convention

The system where cell organization (simple or stratified) serves as the first name and cell shape (squamous, cuboidal, or columnar) serves as the last name.

Simple Squamous Epithelium

A single layer of flattened cells found lining blood vessels to transport materials a short distance to and from cells and provide a thin barrier for rapid energy efficiency and change.

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

A single layer of cube cells found lining some glands, such as forming the walls of kidney tubules.

Simple Columnar Epithelium

A single layer of column-shaped cells found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract that allows rapid secretion or absorption of various materials.

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Multiple layers of flat shaped cells whose superficial (apical) layer displays a flattened squamous shape while basal cells may be cuboidal; acts to protect deeper structures from abrasion and damage.

Stratified Cuboidal Epithelium

Multiple layers of cube shaped cells located in some ducts of glands (such as sweat glands) that function in secretion, protection, and strengthening duct walls.

Stratified Columnar Epithelium

Multiple layers of column shaped cells found in the male urethra that function in protection and secretion.

Transitional Epithelium

Multiple layers of epithelial cells that allow for stretching, featuring domed-shape surface cells when relaxed that flatten when stretched; lines the urinary bladder, ureters, and proximal end of urethra.

Pseudostratified Epithelium

Epithelium comprising only a single layer of cells with cell nuclei positioned in a manner suggestive of stratified tissue, featuring short cilia projections on the surface to move mucus in the respiratory tract.