Chapter 4: Tissues - Condensed Reviewer

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the primary tissue types, epithelial classifications, cell connections, gland mechanisms, connective tissue components, and tissue repair processes.

Tissue

A group of cells with similar structure or function plus the surrounding extracellular substance.

Histology

The study of tissues.

Epithelial Tissue

A primary tissue type that serves as a covering or lining tissue; it is mostly cellular, avascular, and capable of regeneration.

Connective Tissue

A diverse primary tissue type found in every organ, distinguished by cells separated by an abundant extracellular matrix.

Muscle Tissue

A primary tissue type that contracts or shortens to produce movement.

Nervous Tissue

A primary tissue type that coordinates and controls body activities via neurons and glial cells.

Simple Epithelium

An epithelial classification consisting of one layer where each cell touches both the basement membrane and the free surface.

Stratified Epithelium

An epithelial classification with more than one layer, where only the basal layer touches the basement membrane.

Pseudostratified Epithelium

An epithelial type that appears layered but is actually one layer; all cells touch the basement membrane but have varying heights.

Squamous

A flat cell shape.

Cuboidal

A cube-shaped cell.

Columnar

A tall and thin cell shape.

Transitional Epithelium

A special stretchy stratified epithelium that is cuboidal when relaxed and squamous when stretched; lines the urinary bladder.

Microvilli

Extensions on the free cell surface that increase surface area.

Cilia

Extensions on the free cell surface that move materials across the surface.

Desmosomes

Cell connections that mechanically bind cells together.

Hemidesmosomes

"Half desmosomes" that anchor cells to the basement membrane.

Tight junctions

Belt-like seals around cells that prevent passage between cells and force materials to pass through the cells.

Gap junctions

Small channels that allow ions and small molecules to pass cell-to-cell, acting as communication signals.

Exocrine glands

Glands that possess ducts and secrete substances onto a surface or into a cavity.

Endocrine glands

Ductless glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Merocrine secretion

A secretion mechanism involving exocytosis where vesicles are released while the cell remains intact.

Apocrine secretion

A secretion mechanism where pinched-off fragments of the cell are released.

Holocrine secretion

A secretion mechanism where the entire cell is shed.

Collagen fibers

Rope-like, flexible protein fibers that resist stretching.

Reticular fibers

Fine, short, branching collagen fibers that form a supporting network.

Elastic fibers

Protein fibers that stretch and recoil to their original shape.

Ground substance

The non-fibrous, shapeless component of the extracellular matrix made of proteoglycans that trap water.

Osteoblast / Osteocyte / Osteoclast

Cells that form bone, maintain bone, and break down bone, respectively.

Adipose Tissue

A type of loose connective tissue consisting of adipocytes (fat cells) used for energy storage, padding, and insulation.

Hyaline Cartilage

The most abundant type of cartilage; it covers bone ends at joints.

Fibrocartilage

A type of cartilage containing more collagen to resist compression and tearing; found in intervertebral disks and the knee.

Blood

A liquid connective tissue consisting of a plasma matrix and formed elements including erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets.

Intercalated disks

Structural connections that link shorter, branched cardiac muscle cells.

Cutaneous Membrane

The external body surface (skin), composed of the epidermis and dermis.

Mucous Membrane

Membranes that line cavities open to the exterior and often secrete mucus for protection.

Serous Membrane

Membranes that line cavities not open to the exterior (pericardial, pleural, peritoneal) and secrete lubricating serous fluid.

Synovial Membrane

Membranes composed only of connective tissue that line freely movable joints and produce synovial fluid.

Regeneration

A tissue repair mechanism where new cells are the same type as those destroyed, restoring normal function through stem cells.

Fibrosis

A tissue repair mechanism (replacement) where a new tissue type forms scar tissue, leading to some loss of function.