Chapter 4: Histology Vocabulary Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering epithelial, muscle, nervous, and connective tissues from Chapter 4 Histology notes.

Epithelium

Sheets of cells that cover body surfaces, line body cavities and organs, and form glands.

Avascular

The characteristic of having no blood vessels within the tissue, as seen in epithelial tissue.

Basement Membrane

A structure that anchors epithelial tissue to underlying connective tissue, consisting of the basal lamina and reticular lamina.

Basal Lamina

The extracellular matrix of epithelial tissue within the basement membrane, consisting of collagen fibers and ground substance.

Reticular Lamina

The component of the basement membrane manufactured by the deep connective tissue, consisting of reticular fibers and ground substance.

Apical Surface

The cell surface of epithelial tissue that is in contact with the extracellular space.

Lateral Surfaces

The cell surfaces of epithelial tissue that make contact with neighboring cells.

Basal Surface

The cell surface of epithelial tissue in contact with deeper cells or the basal lamina.

Simple Epithelia

Epithelial tissues consisting of a single layer of cells, suited for diffusion and transport.

Stratified Epithelia

Epithelial tissues consisting of more than one layer of cells, suited for protection.

Pseudostratified Epithelia

Epithelial tissue consisting of a single layer of cells that appears multilayered.

Squamous Cells

Flattened epithelial cells.

Cuboidal Cells

Short, cube-shaped epithelial cells.

Columnar Cells

Tall and elongated epithelial cells.

Nervous Tissue

Tissue specialized for fast communication and control.

Muscle Tissue

Tissue specialized for contraction and movement.

Skeletal Muscle Tissue

Striated muscle tissue type under voluntary control.

Cardiac Muscle Tissue

Striated muscle tissue type containing intercalated discs.

Smooth Muscle Tissue

Non-striated muscle tissue type under involuntary control.

Extracellular Matrix (ECM)

Non-cellular component of connective tissue consisting of ground substance and protein fibers.

Ground Substance

Gel-like material containing water, ions, nutrients, and other solutes that acts as a medium for diffusion in connective tissue.

Fibroblasts

The most common resident cells in connective tissue proper that produce ECM components, including fibers and ground substance.

Adipocytes

Resident cells in connective tissue proper specialized for energy storage and lipid storage.

Mast Cells

Migrant immune cells in connective tissue that release histamine and are involved in inflammation.

Phagocytes (Macrophages)

Migrant immune cells in connective tissue that ingest debris, pathogens, and dead cells to assist with defense and cleanup.

Areolar Connective Tissue

Loose connective tissue with a loose arrangement of fibers and cells that wraps and cushions organs, houses blood vessels, and is located under epithelia and around organs.

Reticular Connective Tissue

Loose connective tissue featuring a delicate network of reticular fibers that forms a supportive stroma in lymphoid organs such as lymph nodes and spleen.

Adipose Connective Tissue

Loose connective tissue containing large, clear adipocytes that functions in energy storage, insulation, cushioning, and support.

Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

Dense connective tissue with thick, interwoven collagen fibers that withstands stress from many directions; located in the dermis of skin and fibrous joint capsules.

Dense Regular Collagenous Connective Tissue

Dense connective tissue composed of parallel collagen fibers that withstands tension in one direction; located in tendons and ligaments.

Dense Regular Elastic Connective Tissue

Dense connective tissue composed of parallel elastic fibers and randomly oriented collagen fibers that allows stretch and recoil; located in large blood vessels and some ligaments.

Chondroblasts

Immature cartilage cells that produce matrix.

Chondrocytes

Mature cartilage cells housed within spaces called lacunae.

Lacunae

Small spaces within the extracellular matrix of cartilage that house chondrocytes.

Perichondrium

Dense irregular connective tissue surrounding most cartilage tissue.

Hyaline Cartilage

Specialized connective tissue with a glassy, smooth matrix that resists compression; found on articular surfaces, trachea, and costal cartilages.

Elastic Cartilage

Specialized connective tissue with abundant elastic fibers that maintains shape with flexibility; found in the external ear and epiglottis.

Fibrocartilage

Specialized connective tissue with thick collagen fibers lacking a perichondrium that resists compression and tension; found in intervertebral discs.

Osteoblasts

Bone cells that build bone matrix.

Osteocytes

Mature bone cells that maintain bone matrix.

Osteoclasts

Bone cells that resorb bone matrix.

Plasma

The liquid extracellular matrix of blood containing water, proteins, ions, nutrients, wastes, and hormones.

Erythrocytes (RBCs)

Red blood cells specialized for transporting oxygen.

Leukocytes (WBCs)

White blood cells specialized for immune defense.

Platelets

Cell fragments involved in blood clotting.