Tissues and Integument Vocabulary

Flashcards covering terms related to tissues and the integumentary system.

Epithelial Tissue

One of the four major tissue types found in the body.

Connective Tissue

One of the four major tissue types found in the body.

Muscle Tissue

One of the four major tissue types found in the body.

Nervous Tissue

One of the four major tissue types found in the body.

Lumen

The space within a tubular part or organ, such as the space within a blood vessel or the intestine.

Apical Surface

The upper, free surface of epithelial cells.

Basal Surface

The bottom surface of epithelial cells, attached to the basement membrane.

Basement Membrane

A thin, extracellular layer that supports epithelial tissue.

Simple Squamous Epithelium

A single layer of flattened cells; found in areas where diffusion and filtration occur.

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

A single layer of cube-shaped cells; found in glands and kidney tubules.

Simple Columnar Epithelium

A single layer of column-shaped cells; found lining the gastrointestinal tract.

Goblet Cell

A type of cell found in simple columnar epithelium that secretes mucus.

Microvilli

Small, finger-like projections on the apical surface of some epithelial cells; increase surface area for absorption.

Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium

A single layer of columnar cells that appears stratified because the nuclei are at different levels; often ciliated.

Cilia

Hair-like structures on the surface of some epithelial cells; used to move substances along the surface.

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Multiple layers of flattened cells; protects against abrasion.

Keratinized Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Contains keratin; found in the epidermis of the skin.

Non-keratinized Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Does not contain keratin; found in the lining of the mouth, esophagus, and vagina.

Stratified Columnar Epithelium

Multiple layers of column-shaped cells; rare tissue type found in the male urethra and some glandular ducts.

Transitional Epithelium

Allows for stretching; found in the lining of the urinary bladder.

Endocrine Gland

A ductless gland that secretes hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Exocrine Gland

A gland that secretes its products into ducts that empty onto a surface or into a lumen.

Merocrine Gland

A gland that releases its products by exocytosis.

Apocrine Gland

A gland that releases its products by pinching off the apical portion of the cell.

Holocrine Gland

A gland that releases its products by rupturing the entire cell.

Matrix

The extracellular substance of connective tissue; consists of ground substance and fibers.

Elastin Fibers

Fibers in connective tissue that provide elasticity.

Collagen Fibers

Fibers in connective tissue that provide strength.

Reticular Fibers

Fibers in connective tissue that form a supportive network.

Ground Substance

The amorphous, gel-like substance in the extracellular matrix of connective tissue.

Fibroblasts

Cells in connective tissue that produce fibers and ground substance.

Mesenchyme

Embryonic connective tissue that gives rise to all other connective tissues.

Loose Connective Tissue

A type of connective tissue proper; includes areolar, adipose, and reticular connective tissues.

Areolar Connective Tissue

A type of loose connective tissue with a random arrangement of fibers; found around organs and blood vessels.

Adipose Connective Tissue

A type of loose connective tissue that stores fat.

Reticular Connective Tissue

A type of loose connective tissue with a network of reticular fibers; found in the spleen and lymph nodes.

Dense Connective Tissue

A type of connective tissue proper; includes dense regular, dense irregular, and elastic connective tissues.

Dense Regular Connective Tissue

A type of dense connective tissue with parallel collagen fibers; found in tendons and ligaments.

Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

A type of dense connective tissue with a random arrangement of collagen fibers; found in the dermis of the skin.

Elastic Connective Tissue

A type of dense connective tissue with a high proportion of elastic fibers; found in the walls of arteries.

Blood

A type of fluid connective tissue that transports oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nutrients.

Plasma

The liquid matrix of blood.

Lymph

A type of fluid connective tissue that circulates in lymphatic vessels.

Cartilage

A type of supporting connective tissue with a firm, gel-like matrix.

Chondrocytes

Cells in cartilage that produce and maintain the matrix.

Lacunae

Small cavities in cartilage and bone that contain chondrocytes or osteocytes.

Perichondrium

A layer of dense connective tissue that surrounds cartilage.

Hyaline Cartilage

A type of cartilage with a glassy appearance; found in the ends of long bones and the trachea.

Elastic Cartilage

A type of cartilage with a high proportion of elastic fibers; found in the ear and epiglottis.

Fibrocartilage

A type of cartilage with a high proportion of collagen fibers; found in the intervertebral discs.

Bone

A type of supporting connective tissue with a hard, mineralized matrix.

Osteocytes

Cells in bone that maintain the matrix.

Canaliculi

Small channels in bone that connect lacunae.

Periosteum

A layer of dense connective tissue that surrounds bone.

Trabecular Bone

Spongy bone with a network of bony struts called trabeculae.

Cortical Bone

Compact bone that forms the outer layer of bones.

Haversian System (Osteon)

The basic structural unit of compact bone.

Haversian (Central) Canal

A canal in the center of an osteon that contains blood vessels and nerves.

Volkman’s (Perforating) Canal

Canals that connect Haversian canals.

Epidermis

The outermost layer of the skin.

Dermis

The middle layer of the skin.

Hypodermis

The innermost layer of the skin, also known as the subcutaneous layer.

Keratinocyte

The predominant cell type in the epidermis; produces keratin.

Melanocyte

A cell in the epidermis that produces melanin.

Stratum Basale

The deepest layer of the epidermis; contains keratinocytes and melanocytes.

Stratum Spinosum

A layer of the epidermis superficial to the stratum basale; contains keratinocytes.

Stratum Granulosum

A layer of the epidermis superficial to the stratum spinosum; contains granules of keratin.

Stratum Lucidum

A thin, clear layer of the epidermis superficial to the stratum granulosum; found only in thick skin.

Stratum Corneum

The outermost layer of the epidermis; composed of dead, keratinized cells.

Papillary Layer

The superficial layer of the dermis; contains dermal papillae.

Dermal Papilla

Finger-like projections of the dermis that extend into the epidermis.

Meissner’s Corpuscle

A type of touch receptor found in the dermal papillae.

Reticular Layer

The deeper layer of the dermis; contains collagen and elastic fibers.

Pacinian Corpuscle

A type of pressure receptor found in the reticular layer of the dermis.

Cleavage Lines of the Skin

Lines in the skin that indicate the direction of collagen fibers.

Sebaceous Gland

A gland in the skin that secretes sebum (oil).

Sudoriferous Gland

A gland in the skin that secretes sweat.

Hair Follicle

A structure in the skin that surrounds the hair root.

Arrector Pili Muscle

A small muscle attached to the hair follicle; causes hair to stand on end.

Nail Body

The visible part of the fingernail or toenail.

Free Edge

The distal edge of the nail that extends beyond the fingertip or toe tip.

Nail Bed

The skin beneath the nail body.

Cuticle (Eponychium)

The layer of skin that covers the base of the nail.

Melanin

A pigment that determines skin and hair color.

Malignant Melanoma

A type of skin cancer that arises from melanocytes.

ABCDE Rule

A guide to help detect skin cancer. A= asymmetry, B=border, C=color, D=diameter, E= evolving.