2A notes (tissues, membranes)

Flashcards covering the four primary tissue types (epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous), their characteristics, subtypes, special features, glands, and body membranes from the lecture notes.

Epithelial tissue

Covers surfaces, lines cavities, and forms glands; cells are tightly packed, avascular, and regenerate quickly.

Connective tissue

Supports, protects, and binds other tissues together; the most abundant and varied tissue.

Muscle tissue

Produces movement by contracting.

Nervous tissue

Sends and receives signals to control body activities; main control and communication system.

Apical surface

The surface of epithelial tissue that faces the outside or the inside of a body cavity.

Basal surface

The surface of epithelial tissue that attaches to a thin basement membrane, anchoring it to underlying tissue.

Avascular

Lacking blood vessels, characteristic of epithelial tissue, which receives nutrients by diffusion.

Simple epithelium

Epithelial tissue composed of one layer of cells.

Stratified epithelium

Epithelial tissue composed of multiple layers of cells.

Pseudostratified epithelium

Epithelial tissue that appears multi-layered but is actually only one layer thick.

Squamous cells

Flat-shaped epithelial cells.

Cuboidal cells

Cube-shaped epithelial cells.

Columnar cells

Tall, column-shaped epithelial cells.

Transitional cells

Epithelial cells that can change shape, found in areas like the urinary bladder.

Simple squamous epithelium

Thin epithelial tissue for diffusion, found in lungs and blood vessels.

Stratified squamous epithelium

Thick epithelial tissue for protection, found in skin, mouth, and esophagus.

Microvilli

Tiny finger-like projections on the apical surface of epithelial cells that increase surface area for absorption.

Cilia

Hair-like structures on the apical surface of epithelial cells that move mucus or other substances.

Hemidesmosomes

Protein structures that anchor epithelial cells to the basement membrane.

Glands

Structures made from epithelial tissue specialized for secretion.

Endocrine glands

Glands that release hormones directly into the blood (ductless).

Exocrine glands

Glands that release substances through ducts to a surface (e.g., sweat, saliva, mucus).

Merocrine secretion

A type of exocrine secretion where products are released by exocytosis (e.g., salivary, sweat glands).

Apocrine secretion

A type of exocrine secretion where part of the cell pinches off to release the product (e.g., mammary glands).

Holocrine secretion

A type of exocrine secretion where the entire cell breaks apart to release the product (e.g., sebaceous oil glands).

Collagen fibers

Protein fibers in connective tissue providing strength.

Elastic fibers

Protein fibers in connective tissue providing stretch.

Reticular fibers

Protein fibers in connective tissue providing a framework.

Ground substance

The fluid or gel component of connective tissue, surrounding cells and fibers.

Loose connective tissue

Connective tissue with loosely arranged fibers, includes areolar, adipose, and reticular tissue.

Dense connective tissue

Connective tissue with densely packed fibers, includes regular (tendons, ligaments), irregular (dermis), and elastic types.

Adipose tissue

A type of loose connective tissue specialized for fat storage and cushioning.

Cartilage

A type of supporting connective tissue, including hyaline, elastic, and fibrocartilage.

Blood

A fluid connective tissue that transports nutrients, gases, and wastes.

Skeletal muscle

Voluntary, striated muscle tissue that moves bones.

Cardiac muscle

Involuntary, striated muscle tissue found only in the heart, responsible for pumping blood.

Smooth muscle

Involuntary, non-striated muscle tissue found in the walls of internal organs, moving substances through them.

Neurons

Cells in nervous tissue that send electrical messages.

Glial cells

Cells in nervous tissue that protect and support neurons.

Serous membrane

A body membrane that lines closed body cavities and produces slippery serous fluid to reduce friction.

Cutaneous membrane

The skin; a dry membrane made of keratinized epithelium and connective tissue that protects against water loss and injury.

Synovial membrane

A body membrane that lines joint cavities and secretes synovial fluid to lubricate and nourish cartilage.