Body Tissues and Integumentary System Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary practice flashcards generated from lecture notes on body tissues, histological classifications, repair mechanisms, and integumentary structure and pathology.

Tissue

A group of cells with similar structure and function.

Histology

The scientific study of tissues.

Simple Epithelium

An epithelial tissue layer that consists of a single layer of cells.

Stratified Epithelium

An epithelial tissue layer that consists of more than one cell layer.

Pseudostratified Epithelium

An epithelial tissue layer consisting of one cell layer that appears to have two or more layers.

Transitional Epithelium

A type of stratified epithelium that can be greatly stretched, shifting between cuboidal and squamous appearances.

Endocrine Glands

Ductless glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Exocrine Glands

Glands with ducts through which secretions are released onto a body surface or into a cavity.

Merocrine Secretion

A mechanism of exocrine gland secretion where no cellular material is lost during release, such as in sweat glands.

Apocrine Secretion

A mechanism of exocrine gland secretion in which a portion of the cell pinches off, such as in mammary glands.

Holocrine Secretion

A mechanism of exocrine gland secretion where the entire cell is shed, such as in sebaceous glands.

Proteoglycans

Molecules found in the ground substance of connective tissue matrix that hold water, enabling tissues to return to shape after compression.

Compact Bone

Strong tissue with more matrix than spaces, organized into functional units known as the Haversian system or osteon.

Cancellous Bone

Bone tissue characterized by having more spaces than matrix, containing structural columns called trabeculae; also known as spongy bone.

Skeletal Muscle

Voluntary, striated muscle tissue containing multinucleated cells that attach to the skeleton to enable body movement.

Cardiac Muscle

Involuntary, striated muscle tissue found in the heart, featuring cells connected by intercalated disks that contain gap junctions.

Smooth Muscle

Involuntary, non-striated muscle tissue with a single nucleus per cell, located in the walls of hollow organs, skin, and eyes.

Action Potential

The electrical signal by which nervous tissue cells communicate with one another and with cells of other tissues.

Mucous Membranes

Gland-containing membranes that line body cavities opening to the outside and secrete mucus.

Serous Membranes

Membranes without glands that line body cavities not open to the outside and secrete serous fluid.

Synovial Membranes

Membranes that line freely movable body joints.

Labile Cells

Cells that divide continuously throughout life and readily undergo regeneration.

Stable Cells

Cells that do not ordinarily divide but retain the ability to regenerate if damaged, such as liver and pancreas cells.

Permanent Cells

Cells with little to no ability to divide, which undergo repair by replacement if destroyed, such as neurons and skeletal muscle cells.

Regeneration

A repair process where damaged tissue is replaced by the same cell type, usually restoring normal function.

Replacement

A repair process where a new type of tissue develops, leading to scar formation and partial loss of tissue function.

Stratum Basale

The deepest epidermal layer, consisting of cuboidal or columnar cells that undergo mitotic division approximately every $19\text{ days}$.

Keratinization

The cellular transformation process in the epidermis where cells become filled with the protein keratin, making them hard.

Langerhans' Cells

Epidermal macrophages responsible for helping to activate the body's immune system.

Proprioception

The sensory awareness of the position and movement of the body in space.

Erythema

Redness of the skin resulting from increased blood flow.

Cyanosis

A bluish skin discoloration caused by decreased levels of blood oxygen.

Jaundice

A yellowish skin discoloration resulting from elevated levels of bilirubin, often associated with liver disease.

Rule of Nines

A diagnostic method that estimates burn severity by dividing the total body surface area into regions equal to $9\text{\text{\%}}$, or multiples of $9\text{\text{\%}}$.

Malignant Melanoma

The deadliest form of skin cancer involving melanocytes, characterized by high rates of metastasis.

Callus

An abnormal thickening of the stratum corneum caused by persistent friction.

Pruritus

The medical term describing itchy skin.