Human Histology – Epithelial Tissue

0.0(0)
studied byStudied by 0 people
learnLearn
examPractice Test
spaced repetitionSpaced Repetition
heart puzzleMatch
flashcardsFlashcards
Card Sorting

1/60

flashcard set

Earn XP

Description and Tags

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions from the lecture on epithelial tissue, including embryonic origins, structural features, junctions, surface specializations, epithelial classifications, and glandular concepts.

Study Analytics
Name
Mastery
Learn
Test
Matching
Spaced

No study sessions yet.

61 Terms

1
New cards

Tissue

A group of structurally and functionally related cells sharing a common embryonic origin.

2
New cards

Epithelial Tissue

One of the four basic tissue types; forms coverings, linings, and glands.

3
New cards

Surface Epithelium

Epithelial layer that lines or covers external and internal body surfaces.

4
New cards

Glandular Epithelium

Epithelial cells specialized for secretion; forms exocrine and endocrine glands.

5
New cards

Connective Tissue

Basic tissue type that supports, binds, and protects organs; includes CT proper, bone, cartilage, blood.

6
New cards

Muscle Tissue

Basic tissue type specialized for contraction; skeletal, cardiac, and smooth forms.

7
New cards

Nervous Tissue

Basic tissue type specialized for rapid communication via electrical impulses.

8
New cards

Zygote

Fertilized egg cell; common origin of all body tissues.

9
New cards

Blastocyst

Early embryonic stage that develops from zygote before gastrulation.

10
New cards

Gastrula

Embryonic stage where three germ layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm) form.

11
New cards

Ectoderm

Outer germ layer; gives rise to epidermis, neurons, pigment cells.

12
New cards

Mesoderm

Middle germ layer; forms muscle, kidney tubules, red blood cells, etc.

13
New cards

Endoderm

Inner germ layer; forms alveolar cells, thyroid, pancreatic cells.

14
New cards

Basement Membrane

Extracellular layer beneath epithelium composed of basal lamina and reticular lamina.

15
New cards

Basal Lamina

Thin sheet of glycoproteins and collagen directly under epithelial cells.

16
New cards

Lamina Fibroreticularis (Reticular Lamina)

Collagen-rich layer attaching basal lamina to underlying connective tissue.

17
New cards

Apical Pole

Surface of an epithelial cell facing the lumen or free space.

18
New cards

Basal Pole

Surface of an epithelial cell in contact with the basement membrane.

19
New cards

Tight Junction (Zonula Occludens)

Most apical cell junction forming a water-tight seal between adjacent cells.

20
New cards

Adherens Junction (Zonula Adherens)

Belt-like junction linking actin filaments of neighboring cells.

21
New cards

Desmosome (Macula Adherens)

Spot junction providing strong adhesion via intermediate filaments.

22
New cards

Gap Junction (Nexus)

Communicating junction allowing passage of ions and small molecules between cells.

23
New cards

Hemidesmosome

Structure anchoring epithelial basal pole to the basal lamina.

24
New cards

Interdigitation

Finger-like lateral membrane infoldings that increase adhesion surface.

25
New cards

Microvilli

1 µm finger-like plasma-membrane extensions that increase apical surface area for absorption.

26
New cards

Cilia (Kinocilia)

7–10 µm motile apical projections specialized for moving mucus or fluid.

27
New cards

Stereocilia

Long, non-motile microvilli; increase surface area, found in epididymis and inner ear.

28
New cards

Flagella

~50 µm long whip-like projection propelling a cell, e.g., spermatozoon.

29
New cards

Basal Infoldings

Deep invaginations of basal plasma membrane enhancing ion transport and absorption.

30
New cards

Simple Epithelium

Single cell layer with all cells touching the basement membrane.

31
New cards

Stratified Epithelium

Two or more cell layers; only basal layer contacts basement membrane.

32
New cards

Simple Squamous Epithelium

Single layer of flat cells; lines alveoli, serous cavities (mesothelium), blood vessels (endothelium).

33
New cards

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

Single layer of cube-shaped cells; forms kidney tubules, gland ducts, ovary surface.

34
New cards

Simple Columnar Epithelium

Single layer of tall cells; lines digestive tract, gallbladder; ciliated form in bronchi, uterine tubes.

35
New cards

Pseudostratified Epithelium

Single layer of varying-height cells that appear stratified; ciliated in trachea (respiratory epithelium).

36
New cards

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Many layers; apical cells flat. Keratinized in skin, non-keratinized in mouth, esophagus, vagina.

37
New cards

Stratified Cuboidal Epithelium

2–3 layers of cuboidal cells; lines ducts of sweat, mammary, salivary glands.

38
New cards

Stratified Columnar Epithelium

Rare epithelium with columnar superficial cells; found in conjunctiva, large ducts.

39
New cards

Transitional Epithelium

Stratified epithelium with dome-shaped surface cells; stretches in ureter and bladder.

40
New cards

Gland

Organized epithelial tissue specialized for secretion.

41
New cards

Exocrine Gland

Gland that releases secretions onto an epithelial surface via ducts.

42
New cards

Endocrine Gland

Ductless gland that releases hormones into the bloodstream.

43
New cards

Unicellular Gland

Single secretory cell within epithelium; e.g., goblet cell.

44
New cards

Goblet Cell

Cup-shaped unicellular gland secreting mucin in respiratory and intestinal tracts.

45
New cards

Multicellular Gland

Gland composed of duct plus secretory units.

46
New cards

Simple Gland

Exocrine gland whose duct does not branch.

47
New cards

Compound Gland

Exocrine gland with branched duct system.

48
New cards

Tubular Secretory Unit

Glandular end piece shaped like a tube; may be straight, coiled, branched.

49
New cards

Acinar (Alveolar) Unit

Rounded secretory end piece resembling a sac; common in pancreas, parotid.

50
New cards

Tubuloacinar Gland

Gland containing both tubular and acinar secretory portions.

51
New cards

Mucous Acini

Secretory units producing viscous, glycoprotein-rich mucin that hydrates to mucus.

52
New cards

Serous Acini

Secretory units producing thin, enzyme-rich watery fluid; cytoplasm basophilic.

53
New cards

Mixed Acini

Secretory units containing both mucous and serous cells; may show serous demilunes.

54
New cards

Myoepithelial Cell

Contractile stellate cell surrounding secretory acini and ducts; aids in expelling secretions.

55
New cards

Merocrine Secretion

Exocytosis of secretory product with no loss of cell membrane or cytoplasm.

56
New cards

Apocrine Secretion

Release of apical cytoplasm together with secretory product; e.g., ceruminous glands.

57
New cards

Holocrine Secretion

Discharge of entire cell contents following cell destruction; e.g., sebaceous glands.

58
New cards

Artifact

Minor structural distortion in tissue sections caused by preparation steps.

59
New cards

Longitudinal Section (l.s.)

Tissue slice cut parallel to the organ’s long axis.

60
New cards

Cross / Transverse Section (c.s. or t.s.)

Tissue slice cut perpendicular to the long axis of the organ.

61
New cards

Oblique Section

Tissue slice cut at an angle between longitudinal and cross sections.