Basic Tissue Types Lecture – Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions from the lecture on basic tissue types.

Tissue

A collection of similar cells that work together to perform a common function.

Organ

Structure formed when two or more tissues combine to carry out specific tasks.

Nervous Tissue

Primary tissue type that senses stimuli and transmits electrical signals throughout the body; includes neurons and glial cells.

Neuron

Excitable nervous-system cell with a cell body, dendrites, and axon that senses and responds to stimuli.

Glial Cell

Supportive nervous-system cell that insulates, protects, and tethers neurons to blood vessels.

Muscle Tissue

Highly vascularized, contractile tissue responsible for voluntary and involuntary movement.

Skeletal Muscle Tissue

Striated, multinucleate muscle that attaches to bone or skin to produce mostly voluntary movement.

Cardiac Muscle Tissue

Striated, uninucleate, involuntary muscle found only in the heart.

Smooth Muscle Tissue

Non-striated, involuntary muscle lining blood vessels and hollow organs.

Epithelial Tissue

Avascular tissue that lines body cavities, covers surfaces, and forms glands.

Proper Epithelium

Epithelial tissue that covers and lines inner and outer body surfaces (e.g., epidermis, endothelium).

Glandular Epithelium

Epithelial tissue specialized to form glands and secrete substances.

Avascular

Lacking a direct blood supply; dependent on nearby connective tissue for nutrients.

Squamous Cell

Flat, thin epithelial cell optimized for rapid diffusion and membrane formation.

Cuboidal Cell

Cube-shaped epithelial cell specialized for nutrient absorption and secretion.

Columnar Cell

Tall epithelial cell adept at absorption, secretion, and cushioning underlying tissues.

Simple Epithelium

Single layer of epithelial cells (e.g., lining of blood vessels).

Stratified Epithelium

Multiple layers of epithelial cells stacked for protection (e.g., skin, cornea).

Pseudostratified Epithelium

Single epithelial layer that appears multi-layered due to varying cell shapes and nuclear depths.

Cell Polarity

Characteristic of epithelial cells having distinct apical and basal surfaces.

Apical Side

Surface of an epithelial cell that faces the exterior or lumen it lines.

Basal Side

Surface of an epithelial cell attached to the basement membrane.

Basement Membrane

Thin collagen-rich layer anchoring epithelium to underlying connective tissue.

Selective Permeability

Ability of epithelial cells to regulate absorption, filtration, and excretion of substances.

Endocrine Gland

Gland that releases hormones directly into the bloodstream or nearby cells.

Exocrine Gland

Gland that secretes substances into ducts leading to external body surfaces.

Connective Tissue

Most abundant tissue type that binds, supports, protects, insulates, stores, and transports.

Proper Connective Tissue

Type of connective tissue that includes loose and dense forms such as adipose and tendons.

Cartilage Connective Tissue

Avascular connective tissue providing flexible support (e.g., nose, joints).

Bone Connective Tissue

Rigid connective tissue forming the skeleton for protection and movement.

Blood Connective Tissue

Fluid connective tissue that transports gases, nutrients, and wastes.

Mesenchyme

Embryonic origin tissue from which all connective tissues derive.

Extracellular Matrix

Nonliving ground substance and fibers surrounding connective-tissue cells.

Ground Substance

Gel-like material in the extracellular matrix that holds connective-tissue components together.

Collagen Fiber

Strong, abundant connective-tissue fiber providing tensile strength.

Elastic Fiber

Long, thin connective-tissue fiber that can stretch and recoil.

Reticular Fiber

Short, fine collagen fiber forming supportive networks around organs.

-blast Cell

Immature connective-tissue cell that actively secretes extracellular matrix (e.g., chondroblast).

-cyte Cell

Mature connective-tissue cell that maintains the health of the matrix (e.g., chondrocyte).