Anatomy and Physiology: Connective and Muscle Tissues

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering basic connective tissue types, muscle tissue structure and classification, and their respective cellular components and functions.

Extracellular Matrix

The gel-like substance containing cells and fibers that makes up connective tissue.

Cartilage

A flexible yet firm connective tissue that provides support and reduces friction, found in the nose, ears, trachea, and joints.

Types of Cartilage

Hyaline cartilage, elastic cartilage, and fibrocartilage.

Bone Connective Tissue

A rigid connective tissue rich in calcium that supports the body, shields delicate structures, and stores minerals.

Osteocytes

Specialized cells contained within bone tissue.

Blood

A fluid connective tissue composed of red and white blood cells, platelets, and plasma that transports nutrients, oxygen, and waste.

Lymph

A fluid tissue involved in immune defense and maintaining fluid balance.

Ligaments

Structures that connect bone to bone to hold the skeleton together.

Tendons

Connective tissue structures that attach skeletal muscle to bones to enable body movement.

Basic Types of Connective Tissue

Includes elastic, dense, adipose, cartilaginous, bone, and loose connective tissues.

Functions of Connective Tissue

Support and structure, protection, transport, energy and mineral storage, and immune defense against pathogens.

Muscle Fibers

Specialized cells that make up muscle tissue and contract in response to signals from the nervous system.

Functions of Muscle Tissue

Body movement, posture maintenance, heat production during contraction, support of internal organs, and blood circulation.

Skeletal Muscle

Voluntary muscle tissue made of long, cylindrical, striated fibers with multiple nuclei that enables body movement by attaching to bones via tendons.

Cardiac Muscle

Involuntary muscle tissue found only in the heart, made of striated, branched cells connected by intercalated discs that pump blood through the circulatory system.

Intercalated Discs

Structures that connect the branched cells of cardiac muscle tissue.

Smooth Muscle

A type of muscle tissue that regulates blood flow in vessels and assists in involuntary circulatory functions.