The Tissue Level of Organization: Fluid Connective Tissues, Supporting Connective Tissues, Membranes, and Fasciae

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering fluid connective tissues (blood and lymph), supporting connective tissues (cartilage and bone), body membranes (mucous, serous, cutaneous, synovial), and the fasciae framework.

Fluid connective tissues

Distinctive collections of cells suspended in a fluid matrix, comprising blood and lymph.

Blood

A fluid connective tissue consisting of formed elements (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets) and plasma.

Lymph

A fluid connective tissue formed when interstitial fluid enters the lymphatic vessels.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry blood toward the heart.

Capillaries

Blood vessels that permit diffusion of materials between blood and the interstitial fluid.

Microphages

Phagocytic white blood cells categorized as neutrophils and eosinophils.

Cartilage

A supporting connective tissue that grows via interstitial and appositional growth, featuring a firm gel matrix containing chondroitin sulfate, chondrocytes located in lacunae, and a separating perichondrium.

Chondrocytes

Cartilage cells that reside within small matrix chambers termed lacunae.

Lacunae

Small chambers or cavities in the matrix that contain cartilage cells (chondrocytes) or bone cells (osteocytes).

Perichondrium

A fibrous and cellular layer that separates cartilage from surrounding tissues.

Hyaline cartilage

A type of cartilage providing stiff but somewhat flexible support and reducing friction between bony surfaces; located between the tips of ribs and bones of the sternum, covering bone surfaces at synovial joints, supporting the larynx, trachea, and bronchi, and forming part of the nasal septum.

Elastic cartilage

A type of cartilage containing elastic fibers in its matrix that provides support, tolerates distortion without damage, and returns to its original shape; found in the auricle of the external ear, epiglottis, auditory canal, and cuneiform cartilages of the larynx.

Fibrocartilage

A type of cartilage rich in collagen fibers that resists compression, prevents bone-to-bone contact, and limits relative movement; located in pads within the knee joint, between pubic bones of the pelvis, and in intervertebral discs.

Bone (Osseous tissue)

A supporting connective tissue characterized by a dense mineralized matrix, little ground substance, osteocytes in lacunae, canaliculi, and a covering called the periosteum.

Osteocytes

Mature bone cells situated within lacunae that rely on diffusion through canaliculi for nutrient exchange.

Canaliculi

Narrow passageways radiating through the mineralized matrix of bone that allow osteocytes to receive nutrients via diffusion.

Periosteum

A protective covering surrounding bone tissue, composed of an outer fibrous layer and an inner cellular layer.

Membranes

Simple organs that form a physical barrier, composed of an epithelial layer supported by an underlying connective tissue.

Mucous membranes

Membranes that line body cavities communicating with the exterior and contain an areolar tissue layer termed the lamina propria.

Lamina propria

The layer of areolar tissue underlying the epithelium in a mucous membrane.

Serous membranes

Membranes composed of a mesothelium and areolar tissue that line sealed internal cavities and produce transudate.

Transudate

The watery fluid formed and secreted by serous membranes across their surfaces.

Cutaneous membrane

The membrane that covers the surface of the body (skin), composed of epithelium, areolar tissue, and dense irregular connective tissue.

Synovial membrane

An incomplete cellular lining within joint cavities that secretes synovial fluid to lubricate articular cartilage.

Fasciae

The connective tissue framework of the body consisting of networks of connective tissue proper divided into superficial, deep, and subserous layers.

Superficial fascia

A layer of areolar tissue and adipose tissue situated between the skin and underlying organs; also known as the subcutaneous layer or hypodermis.

Deep fascia

A strong, fibrous internal framework of dense connective tissue that is bound to capsules, tendons, and ligaments.

Subserous fascia

A layer of areolar tissue situated between serous membranes and deep fascia.