Chapter 4: Tissue: The Living Fabric - BIOL 2740

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to human tissues, including basic tissue types, their classifications, structures, functions, and locations as presented in Chapter 4 of Human Anatomy & Physiology I (BIOL 2740).

Tissue

Groups of cells similar in structure that perform a common or related function.

Histology

The study of tissues.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of stable internal conditions, supported by specialized cells and tissues.

Epithelial Tissue

A sheet of cells covering body surfaces or lining cavities; protects, secretes, absorbs, filters.

Connective Tissue

Supports, protects, and binds other tissues; functions include binding, support, protection, insulation, fuel storage, and transport.

Muscle Tissue

Responsible for most types of body movement, contracting to cause motion.

Nervous Tissue

Main component of the nervous system, responsible for internal communication, regulation, and control of body functions.

Covering and Lining Epithelium

Epithelial tissue found on external surfaces (e.g., skin) and internal surfaces (e.g., digestive tract).

Glandular Epithelium

Epithelial tissue made of secreting cells that form glands.

Squamous cells

Flattened and scale-like epithelial cells.

Cuboidal cells

Box-like, cube-shaped epithelial cells.

Columnar cells

Tall, column-like epithelial cells.

Simple Epithelium

Epithelial tissue composed of a single layer of cells.

Stratified Epithelium

Epithelial tissue composed of two or more layers of cells.

Simple Squamous Epithelium

Single layer of flattened cells for diffusion and filtration; found in kidney glomeruli and lung air sacs.

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

Single layer of cubelike cells for secretion and absorption; found in kidney tubules and small glands.

Simple Columnar Epithelium

Single layer of tall cells for absorption and mucus secretion; lines most of the digestive tract.

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Thick membrane with several layers, surface cells flattened; protects from abrasion; forms epidermis and linings of mouth/esophagus.

Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium

Single layer of cells of differing heights, giving a false appearance of stratification; secretes and propels mucus; lines the trachea.

Transitional Epithelium

Resembles both stratified squamous and cuboidal; stretches readily to permit urinary organ distension; lines ureters, bladder, and urethra.

Ground Substance (Connective Tissue)

Unstructured gel-like material filling space between cells in connective tissue; medium for solute diffusion.

Collagen Fibers

Strongest and most abundant fibers in connective tissue, providing high tensile strength.

Elastic Fibers

Long, thin fibers in connective tissue that allow for stretch and recoil.

Reticular Fibers

Short, fine, highly branched collagenous fibers forming delicate networks in connective tissue, notably in lymphoid organs.

Fibroblasts

The most abundant cell type in connective tissue proper; produces fibers and ground substance.

Adipocytes

Fat cells primarily found in adipose connective tissue, storing nutrients.

Macrophages

Phagocytic cells in connective tissue that engulf foreign materials and dead cells.

Connective Tissue Proper

A class of connective tissues including loose (areolar, adipose, reticular) and dense (regular, irregular, elastic) types.

Areolar Connective Tissue

Loose connective tissue with a gel-like matrix and all three fiber types; wraps and cushions organs and aids in inflammation.

Adipose Connective Tissue

Loose connective tissue primarily of adipocytes; provides reserve fuel, insulation, and organ protection.

Reticular Connective Tissue

Loose network of reticular fibers forming an internal skeleton (stroma) for lymphoid organs like spleen and lymph nodes.

Dense Regular Connective Tissue

Dense connective tissue with parallel collagen fibers; withstands unidirectional tensile stress; found in tendons and ligaments.

Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

Dense connective tissue with irregularly arranged collagen fibers; withstands tension from many directions; found in the dermis and organ capsules.

Elastic Connective Tissue (Dense)

Dense regular connective tissue with many elastic fibers; allows tissue recoil and maintains pulsatile flow; found in large artery walls.

Cartilage

Tough but flexible connective tissue; avascular and lacks nerve fibers; resists compression, cushions, and supports body structures.

Chondrocytes

Mature cartilage cells located within small cavities called lacunae.

Hyaline Cartilage

Most abundant cartilage; firm matrix with imperceptible collagen fibers; supports, reinforces, forms embryonic skeleton, and covers bone ends.

Elastic Cartilage

Similar to hyaline but with more elastic fibers; maintains structure shape while allowing flexibility; found in external ear and epiglottis.

Fibrocartilage

Matrix less firm than hyaline with thick collagen fibers; absorbs compressive shock; found in intervertebral discs and knee joints.

Bone Tissue (Osseous Tissue)

Hard, calcified matrix with collagen fibers; provides support, protection, muscle levers, and mineral storage; well vascularized.

Osteocytes

Mature bone cells located within lacunae in the bone matrix.

Blood

Fluid connective tissue within blood vessels; transports gases, nutrients, wastes, and other substances; composed of cells in a plasma matrix.

Plasma (Blood)

The fluid matrix of blood, in which red blood cells and white blood cells are suspended.

Skeletal Muscle Tissue

Long, cylindrical, multinucleate cells with obvious striations; responsible for voluntary movement.

Cardiac Muscle Tissue

Branching, striated, generally uninucleate cells with intercalated discs; propels blood (involuntary); found in heart walls.

Smooth Muscle Tissue

Spindle-shaped cells with central nuclei, no striations; propels substances along internal passageways (involuntary); found in hollow organ walls.

Striations

The characteristic banding pattern visible in skeletal and cardiac muscle tissues.

Intercalated Discs

Specialized junctions unique to cardiac muscle tissue that connect adjacent cardiac muscle cells.

Neurons

Specialized nerve cells that generate and conduct nerve impulses.

Neuroglia (Supporting Cells)

Non-excitable cells in nervous tissue that support, insulate, and protect neurons.