Histology and Tissue Types Practice Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering embryonic tissue layers, epithelial tissues, connective tissues, muscle tissues, nervous tissue, and body membranes based on the provided transcript.

Ectoderm

The outer embryonic layer that forms skin, eyes, and brain ('attractoderm').

Mesoderm

The middle embryonic layer that forms cardiac muscle, bone, blood, and mesenchyme.

Endoderm

The innermost embryonic layer that forms mucous membranes, GI and respiratory tracts, and helps with digestive glands.

Epithelial Tissue

A primary tissue type characterized by protection, absorption, filtration, excretion, secretion, and sensory functions.

Simple Epithelium

An epithelial tissue layer composed of a single layer of cells.

Stratified Epithelium

An epithelial tissue layer composed of multiple layers of cells.

Simple Squamous Epithelium

A single layer of flat epithelial cells that functions in easy diffusion and secretion; found in the lungs and kidneys.

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

A single layer of cube-shaped epithelial cells that functions in secretion and absorption; found in the kidneys, glands, and ovaries.

Simple Columnar Epithelium

A single layer of tall epithelial cells that functions in secretion and absorption; found in the digestive tract (GI), gallbladder, and glands.

Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium

Epithelium that functions in secretion and propelling mucus; ciliated form is in the trachea and upper respiratory tract, non-ciliated form is in sperm-carrying ducts and large glands.

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Epithelium that functions in protection; non-keratinized type lines the esophagus, mouth, and vagina, while keratinized type forms the skin.

Stratified Cuboidal Epithelium

Epithelium that functions in secretion; located in sweat glands, ovaries, and testes.

Transitional Epithelium (Urothelium)

Epithelium that stretches; located in the urinary tract and bladder.

Connective Tissue

A primary tissue type characterized by extracellular matrix and a common origin; functions in binding, support, protection, insulating, storing, and transportation.

Loose Areolar Connective Tissue

Universal connective tissue present in all mucous membranes as lamina propria; functions in support, defense, and storage.

Adipose (Fat) Tissue

Tissue that functions in support, defense, insulation, and storage, making up approximately $18\%$ of body weight.

Loose Reticular Connective Tissue

Tissue that functions to support defense cells; located in lymphoid organs including lymph nodes, bone marrow, and spleen.

Dense Regular Connective Tissue

Tissue that provides strength for body parts needing to withhold stress in one direction; located in tendons, ligaments, and aponeuroses.

Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

Tissue that provides structural and functional strength while allowing more movement; located in capsules, dermis, and digestive tract in skin.

Dense Elastic Connective Tissue

Tissue that functions in recoil; located in arteries, some ligaments, and lungs.

Hyaline Cartilage (Articular Cartilage)

Cartilage containing chondrocytes that functions in support and cushion; located at the ends of bones, costal cartilages, nose, trachea, and larynx.

Elastic Cartilage

Cartilage that functions in maintaining shape and flexibility; located in the external ear and epiglottis.

Fibrocartilage

Cartilage that functions in strength and shock absorption; located in intervertebral discs, menisci, and pubic symphysis.

Bone

Tissue featuring a hard calcified matrix (osteons) with peripheral osteocytes in a tree ring pattern; functions in support and protection.

Blood

A non-traditional connective tissue consisting of cells (erythrocytes) surrounded by a liquid matrix; carries nutrients, waste, respiratory gases, and other substances.

Skeletal Muscle

Voluntary muscle tissue consisting of long, cylindrical, multinucleated cells with peripheral nuclei and patterned striations; located in skeletal muscles.

Smooth Muscle

Involuntary muscle tissue consisting of spindle-shaped cells with one central nucleus and no visible striations; located in the digestion tract, urinary tract, uterus, and blood vessels.

Cardiac Muscle

Involuntary muscle tissue consisting of branching cells with one central nucleus, connected by intercalated discs; located in the heart.

Neurons

Highly specialized nerve cells that respond to stimuli, generate impulses, and transmit impulses.

Neuroglia

Cells in nervous tissue that support, insulate, and protect neurons.

Glandular Epithelia

Epithelia where all glands produce a water-based product or secretion (with protein, lipid, or steroid); classified by secretion location (endocrine/exocrine) and cell count (unicellular/multicellular).

Endocrine Glands

Glands classified by secreting products inside the body.

Exocrine Glands

Glands classified by secreting products outside the body.

Cutaneous Membrane

The only dry membrane exposed to air, composed of keratinized stratified epithelium (epidermis) attached to connective tissue (dermis).

Mucous Membranes

Wet membranes consisting of stratified squamous or simple columnar epithelium over areolar connective tissue (lamina propria); line all body cavities open to the outside world (digestive, respiratory, urinary).

Serous Membranes

Wet membranes consisting of simple squamous epithelium (mesothelium) over a thin layer of areolar connective tissue; line all body cavities that do NOT open to the outside world (pleura, pericardium, peritoneum).