A&P Chapter 1-7: Epithelial and Connective Tissues

Vocabulary flashcards covering epithelial classifications, connective tissues, and cartilage types based on the lecture notes.

Simple Squamous Epithelium

A tissue consisting of a single layer of flat cells that touch each other, designed for easy diffusion of substances such as oxygen across blood vessels and alveoli.

Simple Columnar Epithelium

A single epithelial layer of column-shaped cells lining the stomach and intestines, with nuclei positioned near the basement membrane to protect DNA from the external environment.

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

A single layer of cube-shaped cells providing light protection, frequently found lining tubules in the kidneys and parts of the urinary tract.

Pseudostratified Epithelium

An epithelial tissue layer that appears stacked under a microscope but actually consists of a single layer where every cell touches the basement membrane.

Stratified Epithelium

Epithelial tissue composed of multiple stacked layers of cells designed to provide protection to underlying structures.

Keratinized Stratified Squamous Epithelium

A dry, multi-layered epithelial tissue containing the protein keratin, found on the surface of skin to provide outer protection.

Non-Keratinized Stratified Squamous Epithelium

A wet, multi-layered epithelial tissue lacking keratin, found in moist body locations such as the mouth, esophagus, vagina, and anus.

Transitional Epithelium

Specialized epithelial tissue found in the lower urinary tract, such as the bladder, that can stretch significantly as fluid accumulates and return to its original shape when emptied.

Goblet Cells

Mucus-secreting cells found within pseudostratified ciliated epithelium that produce fluid to help move materials out of the airways and lungs.

Exfoliation

The continuous process of shedding or sloughing off old, outer epithelial cells from body surfaces.

Ligament

A dense connective tissue structure that connects bone to bone.

Dense Regular Connective Tissue

A dense tissue with collagen fibers aligned parallel in a single direction to resist force along a single axis, found in tendons and ligaments.

Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

A dense connective tissue containing collagen fibers arranged in multiple angles and directions to withstand forces from various orientations.

Adipose Tissue

A type of loose connective tissue specialized in fat storage, serving as nutrient storage, space-filling material, and thermal insulation.

Areolar Connective Tissue

A gooey, gel-like loose connective tissue located directly beneath dermal papillae that contains capillaries, nerve cells, and mast cells.

Reticular Connective Tissue

A delicate loose connective tissue containing reticular fibers and collagen that forms a soft structural framework in organs such as the spleen.

Elastic Cartilage

Cartilage rich in elastin protein that provides flexibility and allows structures like the outer ear to spring back to their original shape after being bent.

Fibrocartilage

A highly durable, collagen-rich cartilage lacking blood vessels, found in intervertebral discs to absorb shock and provide tissue strength.