Histology and Animal Tissues

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering general histology, epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissues based on the lecture notes.

Tissues

A group of similarly specialized cells that form a particular function.

Histology

The study of animal and plant tissues, involving the preparation of tissue sections using a microtome, differential staining, and microscopic examination.

Microtome

A device used to thinly slice tissue sections for differential staining and microscopic examination.

Epithelial Tissues

Tissues consisting of sheets of cells that cover and protect the body surface, line body cavities, and form most of the body's glands.

Connective Tissues

Tissues that support the body and its parts.

Muscle Tissues

Tissues specialized to produce movement.

Nervous Tissues

Tissues responsible for communication between various parts of the body by processing and sending information to other neurons or effector tissues.

Plant Tissues

Tissues divided into meristematic tissues and permanent tissues (which are further organized into dermal, fundamental, and vascular tissues).

Epithelial Classification Schemes

Epithelium is categorized by cell layers (simple, stratified, transitional) and cell shapes (squamous, cuboidal, columnar).

Simple Squamous Epithelium

A single layer of flattened cells located in the air sacs of lungs and the lining of the heart, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels; allows materials to pass through by diffusion and filtration, and secretes lubricating substances.

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

A single layer of cube-shaped cells located in kidney tubules and ducts and secretory portions of small glands; functions to secrete and absorb.

Simple Columnar Epithelium

A single layer of tall cells located as ciliated tissue in bronchi, uterine tubes, and uterus, or smooth (nonciliated) in the digestive tract and bladder; functions to absorb and secrete mucus and enzymes.

Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium

An epithelial tissue whose ciliated type lines the trachea and much of the upper respiratory tract; functions to secrete mucus and utilize ciliated tissue to move mucus.

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

A multi-layered epithelial tissue lining the esophagus, mouth, and vagina; functions to protect against abrasion.

Stratified Cuboidal Epithelium

A protective epithelial tissue arranged in multiple layers of cuboidal cells located in sweat glands, salivary glands, and mammary glands.

Stratified Columnar Epithelium

An epithelial tissue located in the male urethra and the ducts of some glands; functions to secrete and protect.

Transitional Epithelium

An epithelial tissue lining the bladder, urethra, and ureters; functions to allow the urinary organs to expand and stretch.

Loose Connective Tissues

Connective tissues that hold organs in place and attach epithelial tissue to underlying tissues; includes areolar, adipose, and reticular tissues.

Dense Connective Tissues

Connective tissues that transmit forces over a distance and connect different organs or muscles.

Fluid Connective Tissues

Connective tissues that exist in fluid form, primarily represented by blood.

Erythrocyte

A red blood cell (RBC) found in fluid connective tissue.

Leukocyte

A white blood cell (WBC) found in fluid connective tissue.

Thrombocyte

A platelet found in fluid connective tissue.

Supportive Connective Tissues

A major category of connective tissues consisting of cartilages and bones.

Cartilage

A pliable yet solid supportive connective tissue that cushions and protects joints and the vertebral column, develops into bones, and permanently remains in structures like the nose and outer ear.

Chondrocytes

Cartilage-producing cells.

Chondrification

The process of cartilage making.

Ossification

The process involving the hardening of cartilage into bones.

Bones

Supportive connective tissue strengthened with calcium salts; performs weight-bearing functions, supports and protects softer tissues and organs, and serves as sites for blood formation.

Osteocytes

Bone-producing cells.

Skeletal Muscle

Striated, voluntary muscle tissue.

Smooth Muscle

Involuntary muscle tissue that facilitates peristalsis.

Cardiac Muscle

Involuntary muscle tissue that works nonstop, with cells connected to each other for ATP.

Neuron Anatomy

The structural units of nervous tissue consisting of a cell body, dendrites, nucleus, mitochondrion, axon, myelin sheath, Schwann cells, nodes of Ranvier, axon terminals, and synapses.