Primary Tissues and Gland Classifications

Vocabulary flashcards covering the four primary tissue types, gland definitions, endocrine vs exocrine distinctions, unicellular vs multicellular glands, and structural classifications of exocrine glands.

Epithelial tissue

Primary tissue that covers body surfaces, lines cavities and organs, and forms glands; important for protection, absorption, filtration, and secretion.

Connective tissue

Primary tissue that supports, protects, binds, and connects other tissues, with cells generally separated by an extracellular matrix; examples include bone, cartilage, blood, adipose, and connective tissue proper.

Extracellular matrix

The material that generally separates cells in connective tissue.

Muscle tissue

Primary tissue specialized to contract, producing movement; includes skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle.

Nervous tissue

Primary tissue specialized for communication and control through electrical signals; primarily consists of neurons and supporting cells.

E-C-M-N

A memory trick for the four primary tissues: Epithelial = Exterior/covering, Connective = Connects, Muscle = Movement, Nervous = Notification/communication.

Gland

One or more cells that produce and secrete a particular product.

Endocrine gland

A ductless gland that secretes hormones into the interstitial fluid and bloodstream.

Exocrine gland

A gland that usually uses ducts to deliver secretions (such as sweat, oil, mucus, and digestive products) onto a body surface or into a body cavity/lumen.

Unicellular gland

A gland consisting of ONE secretory cell.

Goblet cell

The classic example of a unicellular gland, which secretes mucus.

Multicellular gland

A gland consisting of MANY cells working together, generally organized into a secretory unit, duct, and surface.

Secretory unit

The portion of a multicellular exocrine gland that makes the secretion.

Duct

The portion of a multicellular exocrine gland that carries the secretion.

Simple duct

A duct structural classification for a multicellular exocrine gland where the duct does NOT branch.

Compound duct

A duct structural classification for a multicellular exocrine gland where the duct DOES branch.

Tubular

A structural shape classification for the secretory portion of a multicellular exocrine gland that is tube-shaped.

Alveolar

A structural shape classification for the secretory portion of a multicellular exocrine gland that is sac-shaped.