Histology: Epithelial and Connective Tissues

Vocabulary flashcards covering basic histology concepts, including four main tissue types, epithelial tissue classifications and functions, and connective tissue categories and functions.

Tissue

A group of cells with similar size, shape, structure, and function.

General Classes of Tissues

The four primary categories of tissues in the body: Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, and Neural.

Functions of Epithelial Tissue

Major roles of epithelial tissue including protecting underlying structures, acting as a barrier, permitting the passage of substances, secreting substances, and absorbing substances.

Simple Epithelium

A type of epithelium categorized by having a single layer of cells.

Stratified Epithelium

A type of epithelium categorized by having multiple layers of cells.

Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium

A single layer of columnar epithelial cells that appears stratified because the cell nuclei are located at different levels.

Squamous Cells

Epithelial cells characterized by a flat, scale-like shape.

Cuboidal Cells

Epithelial cells characterized by a cube-like shape with equal height and width.

Columnar Cells

Epithelial cells characterized by a tall, column-like shape with greater height than width.

Epithelial Naming Convention

The system of naming epithelial tissues where the first name indicates the number of layers and the second name indicates the shape of cells at the free surface.

Connective Tissue

A diverse primary tissue type that makes up part of every organ in the body.

Functions of Connective Tissue

Key roles including enclosing & separating other tissues, connecting tissues to one another, supporting and moving parts of the body, storing compounds, cushioning and isolation, transporting, and protecting.

Connective Tissue Proper

A major class of connective tissue divided into Loose Connective Tissue and Dense Connective Tissue.

Loose Connective Tissue

A subcategory of Connective Tissue Proper that includes Areolar, Adipose, and Reticular tissues.

Dense Connective Tissue

A subcategory of Connective Tissue Proper that includes Dense Regular CT, Dense Irregular CT, and Elastic CT.

Supporting Connective Tissue

A major class of connective tissue that provides structural framework, divided into Cartilage and Bone.

Cartilage

A type of supporting connective tissue consisting of Hyaline cartilage, Fibrocartilage, and Elastic cartilage.

Bone Tissue

A type of supporting connective tissue divided into Spongy bone and Compact bone.

Fluid Connective Tissue

A major class of connective tissue with a liquid matrix, comprising Blood and Hematopoietic tissue.

Blood

A fluid connective tissue composed of Red Blood Cells, White Blood Cells, and Platelets.

Hematopoietic Tissue

A fluid connective tissue responsible for blood cell production, consisting of Red marrow and Yellow marrow.

Areolar Connective Tissue

A type of loose connective tissue proper that functions in enclosing and separating other tissues.

Dense Regular Connective Tissue

A type of dense connective tissue proper with parallel collagen fibers that functions in connecting tissues to one another.

Adipose Tissue

A type of loose connective tissue proper composed of fat-storing cells that functions in storing compounds, cushioning, and isolation.

Compact Bone

A dense type of bone tissue organized into circular osteons that functions in supporting and moving parts of the body.