Tissues and Membranes - Anatomy and Physiology

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering tissue types, epithelial classifications, nervous system components, and tissue repair processes based on Chapter 6 of The Human Body in Health and Illness.

Epithelial Tissue

A major tissue type that forms the skin, covers the outer surface of the body, and lines inner cavities; it is characterized as being avascular and forming continuous sheets.

Connective Tissue

A major tissue type found in blood, under skin, in bone, and around organs; most have a good blood supply and an abundance of intercellular matrix.

Nervous Tissue

A major tissue type that makes up the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, consisting of neurons and neuroglia.

Muscle Tissue

A major tissue type composed of cells called fibers that shorten to move body parts; types include skeletal, smooth, and cardiac.

Avascular

A characteristic of epithelial tissue meaning it lacks its own blood supply and depends on underlying connective tissue for nourishment.

Basement membrane

The structure to which the undersurface of epithelial tissue is attached.

Squamous

An epithelial cell shape that looks like fish scales.

Cuboidal

An epithelial cell shape that is cube-like.

Columnar

An epithelial cell shape that is tall and narrow, like a column.

Simple Epithelium

A single, thin layer of epithelial cells found where substances move by rapid diffusion or filtration.

Stratified Epithelium

Multilayered epithelial tissue that is stronger and found in areas exposed to everyday wear and tear.

Transitional Epithelium

Found in organs that need to stretch, such as the bladder; cells slide past one another.

Glandular Epithelium

One or more cells that secrete a substance; divided into exocrine and endocrine types.

Simple Squamous

Epithelial tissue found in the air sacs of the lungs.

Pseudostratified Columnar

Epithelial tissue found in the respiratory airways.

Stratified Squamous

Epithelial tissue found in the mouth and skin.

Simple Cuboidal

Epithelial tissue found on the ovary surface.

Simple Columnar

Epithelial tissue found in the digestive tract.

Intercellular Matrix

Material found in abundance in most connective tissue, though it is limited in ligaments, tendons, and cartilage due to poor blood supply.

Neurons

Nerve cells that transmit electrical signals between the brain and spinal cord; parts include dendrites, the cell body, and the axon.

Neuroglia

Nervous tissue cells that support and take care of the neurons.

Regeneration

A process of tissue repair where injured tissue is replaced by identical cells.

Fibrosis

A process of tissue repair where injured tissue is replaced by fibrous connective tissue, commonly known as scar tissue.

Cutaneous Membrane

The classification for the skin, which is a type of epithelial membrane.

Mucous Membrane

A classification of epithelial membrane, distinct from serous and cutaneous membranes.

Serous Membrane

A classification of epithelial membrane, distinct from mucous and cutaneous membranes.