Tissues, Organs, and Homeostasis

Vocabulary flashcards covering the major tissue types, epithelial structures and locations, muscle and nervous tissues, organ systems, body cavities, and homeostasis based on lecture notes.

Tissues

A group of cells of similar type that form a common function.

Epithelial Tissue

Tissue that covers body surfaces, lines cavities, and forms glands.

Connective Tissue

Tissue that provides support, binds organs, stores fat, and functions in immunity.

Muscle Tissue

Tissue responsible for body movement and the movement of fluids through the body.

Nervous Tissue

Tissue that conducts nerve impulses throughout the body.

Free Surface

The surface of epithelial tissue that may be specialized for protection, secretion, or absorption.

Basement Membrane

Structure that binds epithelial cells to underlying connective tissue.

Simple Epithelium

Epithelial tissue composed of a single layer of cells.

Stratified Epithelium

Epithelial tissue composed of multiple layers of cells.

Squamous Epithelium

Flattened epithelium that allows for diffusion of materials and provides a slick surface to reduce friction; simple squamous lines the heart, while stratified squamous lines the mouth.

Cuboidal Epithelium

Cube-shaped epithelium specialized for secretion, absorption, and protection; simple cuboidal is found in kidney tubules, while stratified cuboidal is found in mammary glands.

Columnar Epithelium

Column-shaped epithelium specialized for secretion and absorption; simple columnar lines the digestive tract, while stratified columnar lines the urethra.

Exocrine Glands

Glands that secrete into ducts leading to body surfaces, cavities, or organs ('Exo = out').

Endocrine Glands

Ductless glands that secrete hormones into the fluid surrounding cells, which then diffuse into the blood ('Endo = inside'; e.g., thyroid glands).

Extracellular Matrix

The non-cellular material surrounding connective tissue cells, composed of protein fibers (collagen and elastic fibers) and ground substance.

Ground Substance

Nonfibrous material in the extracellular matrix that may be solid (bone), fluid (blood), or gelatinous (cartilage).

Skeletal Muscle

Voluntary muscle tissue attached to the skeleton that is responsible for voluntary body movements.

Cardiac Muscle

Involuntary muscle tissue found in the heart that pumps blood through the body.

Smooth Muscle

Involuntary muscle tissue found in the walls of hollow organs (such as intestines and blood vessels) that functions in contractions during digestion.

Neurons

Nervous tissue cells that generate nerve impulses and transmit them along.

Neuroglia

Cells in nervous tissue that support, insulate, and protect neurons.

Organ

A body structure composed of two or more different tissues that work together for a specific function.

Organ System

A group of organs that work together for a common function; there are 11 in the human body.

Ventral Cavity

Body cavity located at the front of the body.

Dorsal Cavity

Body cavity located at the back of the body containing the brain and spine.

Diaphragm

Muscular structure that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity.

Homeostasis

Constant adjustments made by organ systems responding to changes in internal and external environments while limiting large variations of internal conditions required for life; depends on communication from the nervous and endocrine systems.

Negative Feedback Mechanism

The mechanism through which homeostasis is maintained.