Lab quiz 5 - Unit 5: Histology - Epithelial and Body Tissues

Vocabulary flashcards defining fundamental histological terminology, the four major tissue classes, and epithelial tissue classifications, cell shapes, functions, and anatomical locations.

Tissue

A group of similar cells that work together to perform a specific function.

Epithelial tissue

A primary tissue type that covers body surfaces, lines internal tracts and cavities, and forms glands; functions in protection, absorption, secretion, filtration, and excretion.

Connective tissue

A primary tissue type that supports, connects, and protects body structures; examples include bone, cartilage, blood, and fat.

Muscle tissue

A primary tissue type responsible for producing movement; examples include skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, and smooth muscle.

Nervous tissue

A primary tissue type responsible for communication and sending electrical signals; found in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

Simple epithelium

Epithelial tissue composed of a single cell layer; facilitates absorption, diffusion, and filtration.

Stratified epithelium

Epithelial tissue composed of multiple cell layers; protects underlying tissues from danger

Basement membrane

A specialized extracellular structure upon which epithelium rests, anchoring all simple epithelial cells and separating the epithelium from underlying connective tissue.

Squamous cells

Flat, thin epithelial cells with disc-shaped central nuclei and sparse cytoplasm.

Cuboidal cells

Cube- or box-shaped epithelial cells featuring large, spherical central nuclei and space for organelles.

Columnar cells

Tall, rectangular, column-shaped epithelial cells featuring round to oval nuclei typically positioned in their basal portion.

Apical surface

The top, exposed border or superficial layer of an epithelial sheet; its cell shape is used to classify and name stratified epithelia.

Simple squamous epithelium

A single layer of flattened cells with disc-shaped central nuclei; facilitates diffusion and filtration in the renal glomeruli, lung alveoli, capillaries, heart lining, and ventral body cavity.

Simple cuboidal epithelium

A single layer of cube-shaped cells with large, spherical central nuclei; facilitates secretion and absorption in kidney tubules (renal collecting tubules), small gland ducts, and the ovarian surface.

Simple columnar epithelium

A single layer of tall cells with oval basal nuclei; facilitates absorption and secretion, lining the digestive tract, gall bladder, small bronchi, and uterine tubes.

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium

A simple epithelium consisting of one layer of tall cells all attached to the basement membrane, but appearing stratified because cells vary in height and nuclear positioning; functions in absorption and secretion.

Goblet cell

A mucus-secreting epithelial cell found interspersed in simple columnar and pseudostratified columnar epithelia.

Microvilli (Brush border)

Tiny projections on the apical surface of epithelial cells (such as simple columnar in the small intestine and proximal tubule cells in kidneys) that greatly increase surface area.

Cilia

Motile cellular projections found on the apical surface of certain epithelial tissues (such as pseudostratified columnar epithelium of the trachea) that help move substances across the surface.

Stratified squamous epithelium

An epithelial tissue with multiple cell layers, metabolically active cuboidal or columnar basal cells, and flattened apical surface cells; protects underlying tissues from abrasion.

Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium

Stratified squamous epithelium with a tough, dry protective outer layer of dead squamous cells that forms the epidermis, preventing water loss and defending against physical damage.

Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium

Stratified squamous epithelium that protects surfaces that stay moist, lining the mouth, esophagus, vagina, and cornea.

Stratified cuboidal epithelium

A relatively uncommon epithelial tissue containing more than one layer of cube-shaped cells; provides protection and secretion in the largest ducts of sweat, mammary, and salivary glands.

Stratified columnar epithelium

A rare epithelial tissue with cuboidal basal cells and elongated columnar apical cells; functions in protection and secretion in the pharynx, male urethra, and lining of some glandular ducts.

Transitional epithelium

A specialized stratified epithelium with cuboidal or columnar basal cells and dome-shaped surface cells that flatten to allow organs to distend/stretch as they fill with urine; lines the bladder, ureters, and urethra.