Tissue Types Flashcards

Flashcards for reviewing lecture notes on tissue types.

Adipocytes

Lipid storage cells found in adipose tissue.

Adipose Tissue

Specialized areolar tissue rich in stored fat.

Anchoring Junction

Mechanically attaches adjacent cells to each other or to the basement membrane.

Apical

That part of a cell or tissue which faces an open space.

Apocrine Secretion

Release of a substance along with the apical portion of the cell.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death.

Areolar Tissue

A type of connective tissue proper with cells dispersed in the matrix.

Astrocyte

Star-shaped cell in the central nervous system that regulates ions and neurotransmitters.

Atrophy

Loss of mass and function.

Basal Lamina

Thin extracellular layer underneath epithelial cells.

Basement Membrane

Anchors epithelial tissue to underlying connective tissue.

Cardiac Muscle

Heart muscle under involuntary control, composed of striated cells.

Cell Junction

Point of cell-to-cell contact that connects one cell to another in a tissue.

Clotting

Complex process by which blood components form a plug to stop bleeding.

Collagen Fiber

Flexible fibrous proteins that give connective tissue tensile strength.

Connective Tissue

Tissue that holds in place, connects, and integrates the body’s organs and systems.

Connective Tissue Membrane

Connective tissue that encapsulates organs and lines movable joints.

Connective Tissue Proper

Connective tissue containing a viscous matrix, fibers, and cells.

Cutaneous Membrane

Skin; epithelial tissue covering the outside of the body.

Dense Connective Tissue

Connective tissue proper containing many fibers for elasticity and protection.

Ectoderm

Outermost embryonic germ layer from which epidermis and nervous tissue derive.

Elastic Cartilage

Type of cartilage characterized by rigid support and elasticity.

Elastic Fiber

Fibrous protein containing elastin that allows fibers to stretch.

Endocrine Gland

Glands that release chemical signals into intercellular fluid to be transported to target organs by blood.

Endoderm

Innermost embryonic germ layer from which digestive and lower respiratory systems derive.

Endothelium

Tissue that lines vessels of the lymphatic and cardiovascular system.

Epithelial Membrane

Epithelium attached to a layer of connective tissue.

Epithelial Tissue

Tissue that serves as a covering or lining of body parts.

Exocrine Gland

Glands that secrete substances through ducts to the skin or internal body surfaces.

Fibroblast

Abundant cell type in connective tissue that secretes protein fibers and matrix.

Fibrocartilage

Tough form of cartilage made of thick bundles of collagen fibers.

Fibrocyte

Less active form of fibroblast.

Fluid Connective Tissue

Specialized cells that circulate in a watery fluid containing salts, nutrients, and dissolved proteins.

Gap Junction

Allows cytoplasmic communications between cells.

Goblet Cell

Unicellular gland found in columnar epithelium that secretes mucous.

Ground Substance

Fluid or semi-fluid portion of the matrix.

Histamine

Chemical compound released by mast cells that causes vasodilation and endothelium permeability.

Histology

Microscopic study of tissue architecture, organization, and function.

Holocrine Secretion

Release of a substance caused by the rupture of a gland cell.

Hyaline Cartilage

Most common type of cartilage, smooth and contains short collagen fibers.

Lacunae

Small spaces in bone or cartilage tissue that cells occupy.

Lamina Propria

Areolar connective tissue underlying a mucous membrane.

Loose Connective Tissue

Type of connective tissue proper with cells dispersed in the matrix.

Matrix

Extracellular material produced by cells, containing ground substance and fibers.

Merocrine Secretion

Release of a substance from a gland via exocytosis.

Mesenchymal Cell

Adult stem cell from which most connective tissue cells are derived.

Mesenchyme

Embryonic tissue from which connective tissue cells derive.

Mesoderm

Middle embryonic germ layer from which connective tissue, muscle tissue, and some epithelial tissue derive.

Mesothelium

Simple squamous epithelial tissue which covers the major body cavities.

Mucous Connective Tissue

Specialized loose connective tissue present in the umbilical cord.

Mucous Gland

Group of cells that secrete mucous, a thick, slippery substance.

Mucous Membrane

Tissue membrane covered by protective mucous and lines tissue exposed to the outside environment.

Muscle Tissue

Tissue capable of contracting and generating tension, producing movement.

Myelin

Layer of lipid inside some neuroglial cells that wraps around axons of some neurons.

Myocyte

Muscle cell.

Necrosis

Accidental death of cells and tissues.

Nervous Tissue

Tissue capable of sending and receiving impulses through electrochemical signals.

Neuroglia

Supportive neural cells.

Neuron

Excitable neural cell that transfers nerve impulses.

Oligodendrocyte

Neuroglial cell that produces myelin in the brain.

Parenchyma

Functional cells of a gland or organ.

Primary Union

Wound edges are close allowing quicker and more thorough healing.

Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium

Tissue that appears to have multiple layers but consists of a single layer of irregularly shaped cells.

Reticular Fiber

Fine fibrous protein that cross-links to form supporting nets in connective tissue.

Reticular Lamina

Matrix containing collagen and elastin secreted by connective tissue.

Reticular Tissue

Loose connective tissue that provides a supportive framework to soft organs.

Schwann Cell

Neuroglial cell that produces myelin in the peripheral nervous system.

Secondary Union

Wound healing facilitated by wound contraction.

Serous Gland

Group of cells within the serous membrane that secrete a lubricating substance.

Serous Membrane

Tissue membrane that lines body cavities and lubricates them with serous fluid.

Simple Columnar Epithelium

Tissue that consists of a single layer of column-like cells; promotes secretion and absorption.

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

Tissue that consists of a single layer of cube-shaped cells; promotes secretion and absorption.

Simple Squamous Epithelium

Tissue that consists of a single layer of flat scale-like cells; promotes diffusion and filtration.

Skeletal Muscle

Usually attached to bone, under voluntary control, striated and multinucleated.

Smooth Muscle

Under involuntary control, moves internal organs, spindle-shaped, and non-striated.

Stratified Columnar Epithelium

Tissue consisting of two or more layers of column-like cells, contains glands.

Stratified Cuboidal Epithelium

Tissue consisting of two or more layers of cube-shaped cells, found in some ducts.

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Tissue with multiple layers of cells with the most apical being flat scale-like cells; protects surfaces from abrasion.

Striation

Alignment of parallel actin and myosin filaments which form a banded pattern.

Supportive Connective Tissue

Connective tissue that provides strength and protects soft tissue.

Synovial Membrane

Connective tissue membrane that lines the cavities of freely movable joints, producing synovial fluid.

Tight Junction

Forms an impermeable barrier between cells.

Tissue

Group of cells that are similar in form and perform related functions.

Tissue Membrane

Thin layer or sheet of cells that covers the outside of the body, organs, and internal cavities.

Totipotent

Embryonic cells that can differentiate into any cell type and organ in the body.

Transitional Epithelium

Stratified epithelium in the urinary tract, with cells that change shape in response to urine.

Vasodilation

Widening of blood vessels.

Wound Contraction

Process whereby the borders of a wound are physically drawn together.