❣️Histology (AKA TISSUES)

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering basic tissue types, epithelial structures, connective tissues, muscle tissue classifications, and neural tissue components.

Epithelial tissue

A covers the body, lines body cavities, hollow organs, and ducts, and forms glands.

Connective tissue

• provides protection, support, immunity, and an energy storage site for the body

• containing few cells and abundant extracellular matrix.

Muscle tissue

• allows body movement, heat generation, and movement of material within the body.

Nerve tissue

Aka neural or nervous tissue

• conducts electrical impulses, detecting internal and external stimuli, and allowing body responses.

Extracellular matrix

The non-cellular component of tissue that occupies space between cells, composed of protein fibers (such as collagen, elastic, and reticular) and ground substance.

Simple squamous epithelium

Epithelium found where rapid absorption and diffusion take place; located in the lining of lung alveoli, mesothelia lining ventral body cavities, and endothelia lining the heart and blood vessels.

Simple cuboidal epithelium

Epithelium that functions in secretion and absorption, found in portions of kidney tubules.

Simple columnar epithelium

Epithelium that functions in absorption, secretion, and protection, found in the lining of the stomach and intestines.

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium

Epithelium found in the lining of the nasal cavity and trachea that appears layered but is not; contains cilia to move mucus produced by goblet cells.

Stratified squamous epithelium

Epithelium that protects against mechanical stresses in exposed, high wear-and-tear locations, such as the surface of the skin and the linings of the mouth, throat, esophagus, rectum, anus, and vagina.

Transitional epithelium

Epithelium found in the bladder that changes shape and tolerates repeated cycles of stretching and recoiling without damage.

Fibroblasts

Cells that are very abundant in connective tissue proper which produce matrix protein fibers including collagen and elastin.

Mesenchyme

Embryonic connective tissue.

Areolar tissue(little space)

loose connective tissue with a loose arrangement of fibers (collagen, elastic, reticular) and cells (fibroblasts, adipocytes, white blood cells) in abundant viscous ground substance;

• provides padding and allows stretching.

Adipose tissue

A loose connective tissue consisting of adipocytes that store fat for energy storage, protection, and insulation; found in the hypodermis, abdominopelvic cavity, and around kidneys.

Reticular tissue

A loose connective tissue forming a supportive stroma (framework) for cells in lymphoid organs such as the spleen, lymph nodes, and liver.

Dense irregular connective tissue

A dense connective tissue containing irregularly arranged collagen fibers that withstands stresses from many directions; found in the reticular layer of the dermis.

Dense regular connective tissue

A dense connective tissue with collagen fibers arranged parallel to the direction of force; forms tendons and ligaments.

Elastic connective tissue

A dense connective tissue composed mostly of elastic fibers, found in elastic arteries, trachea, and vocal cords.

Cartilage

An avascular supporting connective tissue with a semi-solid matrix containing chondroblasts and chondrocytes in lacunae; functions in shock absorption and protection with slow repair.

Hyaline cartilage

The most abundant type of cartilage, providing stiff but flexible support and reducing friction between bones; found in synovial joints, rib tips, sternum, trachea, and fetal skeleton.

Elastic cartilage

Cartilage with abundant elastic fibers that is supportive but bends easily; found in the external ear and epiglottis.

Fibrocartilage

Durable and tough cartilage containing abundant collagen fibers that limits movement; found between pubic bones, intervertebral discs, and menisci.

Bone tissue

A supporting connective tissue composed of repeating units called osteons with osteocytes dispersed in a solid extracellular matrix; provides protection, support, mineral/fat storage, and blood cell formation.

Blood

A fluid connective tissue consisting of cells (RBCs/Erythrocytes, WBCs/Leukocytes, Thrombocytes/Platelets) in a liquid matrix (plasma); transports nutrients, gases, waste products, and hormones.

Skeletal muscle tissue

Voluntarily controlled muscle tissue responsible for moving bones; consists of long cells called muscle fibers with striations and multiple nuclei.

Cardiac muscle tissue

Involuntarily controlled muscle tissue found only in the heart; contains short, striated cells with one nucleus connected by intercalated discs.

Smooth muscle tissue

Involuntarily controlled, non-striated muscle tissue made of short cells with one nucleus; found in the walls of hollow contracting organs to move material.

Neurons

Nerve cells specialized for electrical communication, consisting of a cell body, dendrites, and an axon.

Dendrites

Short branches extending from the neuron cell body that receive incoming signals.

Axon

Also called a nerve fiber; a long, thin extension of the neuron cell body that carries outgoing electrical signals to their destination.

Neuroglia

Also called glial cells; supporting cells in neural tissue that are smaller and more numerous than neurons, serving to repair and supply nutrients to neurons.