Oral Anatomy & Histology: Body Systems, Cells, and Tissues

Vocabulary flashcards covering the structural hierarchy of the human body, cell organelles, primary tissue classes, organ systems, and histological definitions from the Oral Anatomy & Histology lecture.

Anatomy

The scientific study of the shape and structure of the human body.

Cells

The basic units of structure in the human body capable of movement, responding to stimuli, nutrition, excretion, respiration, growth, and reproduction.

Cell Membrane

The outer boundary of the cell that protects the cell and acts as a selective filter.

Cytoplasm

A watery gel in which the cell organelles and structures are suspended.

Ribosomes

Cellular organelles where proteins are assembled for use inside the cell.

Mitochondria

Organelles that produce energy to keep the cell functioning.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

A network of channels within the cell for moving substances.

Lysosomes

Bags of digestive juices within a cell that break down nutrients and unwanted cellular components.

Chromosomes

Nuclear structures that carry the cell's genetic information.

Nucleus

The primary control center of the cell.

Golgi Complex

The cellular structure where proteins synthesized inside the cell are packaged for export.

Microvilli

Fingerlike projections on the surface of a cell that increase surface area to enhance absorption capacity.

Stem Cells

Immature, unspecialized cells categorized into embryonic and adult types.

Tissues

Groups formed when many millions of cells with the same shape, size, structure, and function join together to perform a specific bodily function.

Epithelial Tissue

The tissue group that provides protection, produces secretions, and forms coverings and linings for external surfaces (skin) and internal surfaces (oral cavity and intestinal linings).

Connective Tissue

The major supporting material of the body that joins, supports, and binds organs and other tissues.

Muscle Tissue

Tissue possessing the specialized ability to lengthen and shorten, functioning either voluntarily or involuntarily.

Nerve Tissue

Tissue responsible for coordinating and controlling body activities via electrical impulses, comprising the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.

Organs

Structures formed when several distinct types of tissues combine into a functional unit to perform a specific function.

Five Essential Organs

The group of five organs strictly required for human survival: the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver.

Body System

A level of biological organization composed of a group of distinct organs working together to perform a major bodily function.

Axial Skeleton

The skeletal division consisting of 80 bones that includes the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage.

Appendicular Skeleton

The skeletal division consisting of 126 bones that includes the upper and lower limbs and their associated girdles.

Muscular System

The body system composed of more than 600 individual muscles that enables locomotion, posture, facial expressions, and internal movement.

Striated Voluntary Muscle

Very strong muscle tissue containing cross striations that is controlled consciously (e.g., skeletal muscle).

Nonstriated Involuntary Muscle

Smooth muscle tissue lacking cross striations that contracts slowly without conscious control (e.g., walls of blood vessels and digestive tract).

Striated Involuntary Muscle

Cardiac muscle tissue characterized by rich vascularity, cross striations, and involuntary autonomic control.

Cardiovascular System

The body system consisting of the circulatory system, heart, and lymphatic components that transports nutrients, gases, hormones, and regulates temperature and chemical stability.

Lymphatic System

A subsystem of the immune system composed of lymph vessels, lymph fluid, lymph nodes, and lymphoid tissues (tonsils and spleen) that clears toxins and wastes.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The primary control center of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The division of the nervous system composed of nerves outside the central axis, divided into somatic and autonomic branches.

Afferent Nerve

A sensory nerve that carries sensory information or relays impulses from the periphery of the body toward the brain or spinal cord.

Efferent Nerve

A motor nerve that carries impulses and instructions away from the brain to the peripheral regions of the body.

Respiratory System

The body system consisting of the nose, pharynx, epiglottis, larynx, trachea, and lungs that delivers oxygen and expels carbon dioxide.

Digestive System

The body system operating under involuntary regulation that provides the body with necessary water, electrolytes, and nutrients.

Endocrine System

A network of ductless glands and tissues that secretes hormones directly into the bloodstream to regulate metabolism, growth, and development.

Urinary System

Also known as the excretory system, it regulates body fluid volume and composition by excreting waste products as urine and returning needed substances to circulation.

Integumentary System

The body's protective outer boundary (skin, hair, nails, and glands) that acts as a first line of defense, regulates temperature, excretes waste, and produces vitamin D.

Histology

The scientific study of tissues, focusing on groups of specialized cells, their surrounding tissue fluid, and intercellular matrix.

Basement Membrane

The extracellular structure that underlies and separates lining and glandular epithelial tissue from the underlying connective tissue.

Adipose Tissue

A specialized soft connective tissue that stores lipids for energy, cushions organs, and provides insulation.

Cartilage

A firm supportive connective tissue that acts as a shock absorber and provides firm yet flexible structural support.