Histology Review - Vocabulary Flashcards (Video Notes)

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering histology topics: tissue types, epithelial and connective tissues, gland types, extracellular matrix components, muscle and nervous tissue, surface terminology, and blood cell types.

Muscle Tissue

Tissue specialized for contraction to produce movement.

Epithelial Tissue

Tissue that lines body surfaces and forms glands; protective, absorptive, or secretory.

Nervous Tissue

Tissue that transmits electrical impulses; composed of neurons and supporting cells.

Connective Tissue

Tissue that binds, supports, and protects; characterized by extracellular matrix.

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

Single layer of cube-shaped cells; functions in secretion and absorption.

Pseudostratified Epithelium

Single layer of cells of varying heights; nuclei at different levels; often ciliated.

Loose Connective Tissue

Connective tissue with abundant extracellular space; cushions and supports other tissues.

Transitional Epithelium

Epithelium that lines the urinary bladder and can stretch to accommodate distension.

Cartilage

Connective tissue with lacunae containing chondrocytes; avascular, provides flexible support.

Reticular Connective Tissue

Connective tissue with a network of reticular fibers that forms a supportive framework for organs.

Exocrine Gland

Gland with ducts that secrete substances onto surfaces or into cavities.

Endocrine Gland

Ductless gland; releases hormones into the bloodstream.

Ground Substance

Non-fibrous component of ECM that fills spaces between cells and fibers.

Fibers (ECM)

Protein fibers in the extracellular matrix (e.g., collagen, elastic, reticular) that provide support.

Extracellular Matrix

The non-cellular framework outside cells; composed of ground substance and fibers.

Merocrine Gland

Secretions released by exocytosis; no loss of cell material (e.g., sweat glands).

Apocrine Gland

Secretions involve loss of the apical cell portion in secretion (e.g., mammary glands).

Holocrine Gland

Secretions produced by rupture of the secretory cell (e.g., sebaceous glands).

Skeletal Muscle

Voluntary, striated muscle used for body movement.

Smooth Muscle

Involuntary, non-striated muscle found in hollow organs.

Cardiac Muscle

Involuntary, striated muscle of the heart.

Neurons

Nerve cells that transmit electrical impulses.

Neuroglia

Glial cells that support neurons; more numerous than neurons.

Apical Surface

Top/free surface of an epithelial tissue.

Basal Surface

Bottom/basal surface that rests on the basement membrane.

Lacuna

Small cavity within cartilage housing a chondrocyte.

Mast Cells

Immune cells in connective tissue that release histamine during reactions.

Macrophages

Phagocytic cells that engulf and digest pathogens and debris.

Red Blood Cells

Erythrocytes that transport oxygen via hemoglobin.

White Blood Cells

Leukocytes that defend against infection.