APHY101 - Epithelial & Connective Tissues (Lecture Notes)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key epithelial and connective tissue types, their descriptions, functions, and typical locations.

Simple squamous epithelium

Single layer, flattened cells; function is filtration, diffusion, and osmosis; location includes air sacs of lungs, walls of capillaries, linings of blood and lymph vessels, and membranes lining body cavities and covering viscera.

Simple cuboidal epithelium

Single layer, cube-shaped cells; function is protection, secretion, and absorption; location includes surface of ovaries, linings of kidney tubules, and linings of ducts of certain glands.

Simple columnar epithelium

Single layer, elongated (tall) cells; function is protection, secretion, and absorption; location includes linings of uterus, stomach, and intestines.

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium

Single layer, elongated cells that appear stratified; function is protection, secretion, and movement of mucus/substances; location includes linings of respiratory passages.

Stratified squamous epithelium

Many layers with top cells flattened; function is protection; location includes superficial layer of skin and linings of oral cavity, vagina, and anal canal.

Stratified cuboidal epithelium

2–3 layers of cube-shaped cells; function is protection; location includes linings of ducts of mammary glands, sweat glands, salivary glands, and pancreas.

Stratified columnar epithelium

Top layer of elongated cells with lower layers of cube-shaped cells; function is protection and secretion; location includes part of the male urethra and lining of larger ducts of excretory glands.

Transitional epithelium

Many layers of cube-shaped and elongated cells; function is stretchability and protection; location includes the inner lining of the urinary bladder and linings of the ureters and part of the urethra.

Areolar connective tissue

Cells in a fluid-gel matrix; function is to bind organs; location beneath the skin, between muscles, and beneath epithelial tissues.

Adipose tissue

Cells in a fluid-gel matrix; function is protection, insulation, and fat storage; location beneath the skin, around kidneys, behind eyeballs, and on the surface of the heart.

Reticular connective tissue

Cells in a fluid-gel matrix; function is to provide support; location walls of liver and spleen.

Dense regular connective tissue

Cells in a fluid-gel matrix; function is to bind body parts; location in tendons and ligaments.

Dense irregular connective tissue

Cells in a fluid-gel matrix; function is to sustain tissue tension; location in the deep layer of skin.

Elastic connective tissue

Cells in a fluid-gel matrix; function is to provide elastic quality; location in connecting parts of the spinal column and in walls of arteries and airways.

Hyaline cartilage

Cells in a solid-gel matrix; function is to support, protect, and provide framework; location ends of bones, nose, and rings in walls of respiratory passages.

Elastic cartilage

Cells in a solid-gel matrix; function is to support, protect, and provide a flexible framework; location includes framework of the external ear and part of the larynx.

Fibrocartilage

Cells in a solid-gel matrix; function is to support, protect, and absorb shock; location between bony parts of the spinal column, parts of the pelvic girdle, and knee.

Bone

Cells in a solid matrix; function is to support, protect, and provide a framework; location in bones of the skeleton and the middle ear.

Blood

Cells and platelets in a fluid matrix; function is transport of gases, defense against disease, and clotting; location throughout the body in a closed system of blood vessels and heart chambers.