Epithelial and Connective Tissues Vocabulary Flashcards

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards detailing the descriptions, locations, functions, cell types, fibers, and matrices of epithelial and connective tissues.

Simple Squamous Epithelium

Description: Single layer of flattened cells. Location: Lung alveoli, capillaries, kidneys, serosae membrane. Function: Allow diffusion and filtration, part of some secretory membranes.

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

Description: Single layer of cube shaped cells. Location: Kidney tubules, secretory ducts and glands, ovary surface. Function: Secretion & absorption.

Simple Columnar Epithelium

Description: Single layer of column shaped cells containing secretory cells like goblet cells. Location: Lining in digestive system, secretory ducts, female reproductive system. Function: Absorption, secretion of mucous, enzymes and other substances.

Pseudostratified Epithelium

Description: Single role of short & tall column cells containing secretory cells (goblet cells). Location: Ciliated trachea, non-ciliated male reproductive system. Function: Secretion of mucous, propulsion of mucous by propulsion of cilia.

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Description: Thick, multilayer band of tissue that changes shape from cuboidal in lowest layer to squamous in outer layers. Location: Skin (keratinized form), mouth and vagina (nonkeratinized). Function: Protection from abrasion (areas of high contact/abuse).

Transitional Epithelium

Description: Band of multilayered cells of different shapes. Location: U. bladder, ureters. Function: Stretches to allow organ to distend with urine.

Areolar (Loose) Connective Tissue

Cells: Fibroblast, macrophage, Mast cells, adipocytes. Fibers: Collagen, elastic, reticular loose fibers. Matrix: Gelatinous ground substance with hyaluronic acid. Location: Dermis of skin, wraps organs, surrounds capillaries. Function: Wraps & cushions, holds and conveys fluids.

Adipose Connective Tissue

Cells: Adipocytes. Fibers: Reticular, collagen. Matrix: Packed cells, very little gelatinous ground. Location: Under skin (hypodermis), around organs. Function: Reserve fuel source, cushioning and insulation.

Reticular Connective Tissue

Cells: Reticular, phagocytes. Fibers: Reticular. Matrix: Loose fibers, gelatinous ground substance. Location: Lymphoid organs (spleen & lymph nodes), liver, bone marrow. Function: Soft internal 'skeleton' for certain organs, supports cells, also phagocytosis.

Dense Regular Connective Tissue

Cells: Fibroblasts. Fibers: Collagen. Matrix: Parallel bundles of collagen fibers, little ground. Characteristics: Lacks blood supply. Location: Tendon & ligaments. Function: Attaches muscle to bone (tendon) or bone to bone (ligament).

Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

Cells: Fibroblasts. Fibers: Collagen and some elastin. Matrix: Irregular bundles of fibers, little ground. Location: Fibrous capsule of joints, dermis of skin. Function: Structural strength & withstands tension.

Hyaline Cartilage

Cells: Chondrocytes. Fibers: Collagen, some elastic. Matrix: Gel matrix of chondroitin and sulfate salts. Characteristics: Lacks blood supply. Location: Ends of bones and joints. Function: Support & cushioning, reinforcement, strength.

Fibrocartilage

Cells: Chondrocytes. Fibers: Collagen, some elastic. Matrix: Heavy pads of cartilage, little ground but ground is similar to hyaline. Characteristics: Lacks blood supply. Location: Intervertebral discs, meniscus. Function: Tensile strength & absorbs compressive shock.

Elastic Cartilage

Cells: Chondrocytes. Fibers: Elastin. Matrix: Little ground but fibers and gel matrix. Characteristics: No blood. Location: External ear & epiglottis. Function: Shape with flexibility.

Osseous Tissue

Cells: Osteoblasts & osteocytes. Fibers: Collagen. Matrix: Rigid Calcium carbonate salts in compact bone; open weave calcium carbonate in spongy bone. Location: Bones (spongy bone on ends and in center of bones). Function: Support, protection, mineral storage; spongy bone contains red marrow for blood cell production.

Blood

Cells: Erythrocytes, Leukocytes, platelets. Fibers: Soluble proteins that form during clotting. Matrix: Liquid matrix (plasma). Location: In blood vessels. Function: Transport/conduction of nutrients, regulatory products and waste products.