Part 1 Cells and Tissues -Body Tissues and Epithelial Tissue Classification

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering body tissue types, characteristics of epithelial tissue, cellular junctions, and specific classifications and locations of epithelia.

Body Tissues

Groups of cells that have a specific structure and function.

Histology

The study of tissues, where cell specialization has increased interdependence on other cells of the body.

Epithelial Tissue

A primary tissue type responsible for covering and lining all body surfaces, providing protection, absorption, filtration, and secretion.

Connective Tissue

A primary tissue type responsible for support, including protecting, supporting, and binding together other body tissues.

Muscle Tissue

A primary tissue type responsible for movement through contractile action (shortening).

Nervous Tissue

A primary tissue type responsible for control and regulation through electrical signals, receiving, interpreting, and responding to stimuli.

Endothelium

A specialized lining epithelium that lines vessels in the lymphatic and cardiovascular systems.

Avascular

Lacking a blood supply of its own, relying on diffusion from underlying tissues.

Vascular

Having a blood supply of its own.

Apical Surface

The free or unattached surface of epithelial tissue exposed to the body surface or a body cavity, which is often slick, smooth, or has cell extensions.

Basal Surface

The lower surface of epithelial tissue that binds it to the underlying connective tissue via the basement membrane.

Tight Junctions

Cellular junctions that form an impenetrable barrier preventing the passage of material into the intercellular space.

Gap Junctions

Protein channels connecting the cytoplasm of adjacent cells to allow cellular communication and coordination.

Anchoring Junctions

Cell junctions containing a variety of protein fibers that anchor into the cytoplasm for structural strength.

Adherens Junctions

Anchoring junctions located between adjacent cells that hold cells together to form tissues.

Desmosomes

Anchoring junctions between adjacent cells that hold cells firmly together within a tissue.

Hemidesmosomes

Anchoring junctions that attach the basal surface of an epithelial cell to the underlying basement membrane.

Simple Epithelium

An epithelial tissue classification characterized by a single layer of cells.

Stratified Epithelium

An epithelial tissue classification characterized by multiple layers of cells.

Squamous Cells

Epithelial cells that are flattened or scale-like in shape.

Cuboidal Cells

Epithelial cells that are cube-shaped.

Columnar Cells

Epithelial cells that are tall and column-shaped.

Simple Squamous Epithelium

Epithelium responsible for rapid diffusion; found in the air sacs of lungs, walls of capillaries, lining of the ventral body cavity, and covering organs.

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

Epithelium involved in absorption and secretion; found in ducts of glands (such as salivary glands and pancreas) and walls of kidney tubules.

Simple Columnar Epithelium

Epithelium involved in absorption and secretion; lines parts of the digestive and respiratory systems.

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Epithelium designed to withstand stress and friction; found on the surface of the mouth, skin, and esophagus.

Stratified Cuboidal Epithelium

A rare type of epithelium in the body that lines the ducts of large glands such as the liver and pancreas.

Transitional Epithelium

Epithelium found in the lining of the urinary bladder, urethra, and ureters, whose cells modify their shape under stress from stretching.

Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium

Epithelium containing heterogeneous cell types (such as basal cells, ciliated cells, and goblet cells) where all cells contact the basement membrane, and some feature membrane extensions.