Histology Vocab

Free Surface

Uppermost row of cells adjacent to the passageway of the structure.

Basement Membrane

anchors epithelial tissue to the muculature; the last row of cells attaches to this; like the basement of a house anchoring a home to the ground

Cell Connections

Mechanically bind cells, form permeability barriers, and allow intercellular communication; anchor

Desmosomes

Disk-shaped structures with adhesive glycoproteins that bind cells to one another.

Hemidesmosomes

anchors cell to basement cell conection

Tight Junctions

hold cells together; act like a zip-loc bag seal; 2 parts - zonula adherens and zonula occludens

Zonula Adherens

Acts like a weak glue holding cells together with actin filaments.

Zonula Occludens

Forms a tight seal and permeability barrier to prevent passage between cells.

Gap Junctions

Protein channels allowing intercellular passage of ions and small molecules.

Glands

Secretory organs mostly comprised of epithelial cells with connective tissue.

Exocrine Glands

Has a duct; releases substances into the body via the duct

Endocrine Glands

Ductless glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Merocrine Glands

Glands that secrete products with no loss of cellular material.

Apocrine Glands

Glands that discharge fragments of cells in their secretion, like mammary glands.

Holocrine Glands

Glands that shed entire cells that become part of the secretion, like sebaceous glands.

Matrix

Background material of connective tissues containing protein fibers, ground substance, and fluid.

Collagen Fibers

Most common rope-like, very strong body protein.

Reticular Fibers

Fine, short, branching collagen fibers that fill space between tissues and organs.

Elastic Fibers

Fibers containing elastin that enable tissue to be distended or compressed.

-Blasts

do the bulk of the work; young cells; produce cells; create matrix

-Cytes

Mature cells that maintain the matrix.

Ground Substance

The shapeless substance material of the matrix; very thick and dense