Connective Tissue Histology

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to connective tissue histology, including types of connective tissue, cell characteristics, and their functions.

Areolar Connective Tissue

A loose fibrous tissue often studied in spread preparations; contains elastic and collagen fibers.

Elastic Fibers

Thin, dark lines in areolar connective tissue made from elastin proteins.

Collagen Fibers

Thicker, pink-staining wavy fibers present in areolar connective tissue.

Fibroblasts

The most abundant cells in areolar connective tissue, characterized by medium sized, oval, dark nuclei.

Macrophages

Cells with condensed nuclei and muddy cytoplasm due to ingested particles; known as 'big eaters'.

Adipose Tissue

Connective tissue where cells appear empty, filled with a single fat vacuole; serves to store triglycerides.

Triglycerides

Fats stored in vacuoles of adipose cells; washed away during tissue preservation.

Hyaline Cartilage

Most widely distributed cartilage in the body, characterized by chondrocytes in lacunae.

Chondrocytes

Cells of hyaline cartilage that reside in lacunae and are dispersed in a homogeneous matrix.

Osteon

The structural unit of compact bone tissue, featuring concentric lamellae and a central Haversian canal.

Lacunae

Small dark spaces in bone that house osteocytes.

Canaliculi

Thin, spidery lines that radiate from lacunae in bone, allowing communication and nutrient exchange.

Erythrocyte

Red blood cell (RBC) that typically stains pink and lacks a nucleus.

Leukocytes

White blood cells (WBC) characterized by a prominent purple staining nucleus.

Monocytes

Large white blood cells with pale cytoplasm; relatively rare in blood, comprising 3-8% of WBC.