Tissues and Membranes Exam Review

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissues, as well as body membranes based on the review guide.

Tendons

Connective tissue structures that attach muscle to bone.

Ligaments

Connective tissue structures that attach bone to bone.

Osseous Tissue

Another name for bone tissue, characterized by abundant collagen fibers and calcium as its primary ion.

Lacunae

Small spaces or cavities within bone or cartilage matrix that house specialized cells such as osteocytes or chondrocytes.

Blood

The primary fluid connective tissue in the human body, consisting of distinct cells and cell fragments suspended in liquid extracellular matrix.

Axon

A long nerve cell process that conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body.

Dendrite

A nerve cell extension that carries electrical impulses toward the cell body.

Neurotransmitter

A chemical signaling molecule released by a neuron to communicate signals across a synaptic gap to another cell.

Apical Surface

The exposed free surface of epithelial tissue facing an open space, lumen, or body exterior.

Basolateral Surface

The region of an epithelial cell that attaches to neighboring cells and connects to the underlying basal lamina.

Pseudostratified Ciliated Columnar Epithelium

A single layer of column-shaped cells appearing layered due to cell nucleus placement, equipped with cilia and found lining the trachea to move debris out of upper airways.

Endocrine Glands

Ductless glands that release cellular secretions directly into interstitial fluid or the bloodstream.

Exocrine Glands

Glands that discharge their products through ducts onto an epithelial surface.

Merocrine Secretion

A gland secretion method where products are packaged into secretory vesicles and discharged by exocytosis without damaging the cell.

Apocrine Secretion

A gland secretion method where secretory products accumulate at the apical portion of the cytoplasm before that portion sheds off.

Holocrine Secretion

A gland secretion method where the entire gland cell becomes packed with secretory product and ruptures completely, destroying the cell.

Extracellular Matrix

The extracellular substance in connective tissue that surrounds cells, composed of ground substance and protein fibers (collagen, elastic, and reticular).

Scurvy

A disease resulting from vitamin C deficiency, causing failure of proper collagen fiber formation and connective tissue breakdown.

Adipose Tissue

A specialized connective tissue rich in fat content that provides energy storage, insulation, and protective cushioning.

Adipocytes

Specialized connective tissue cells that store lipid droplets.

Brown Fat

A highly vascularized adipose tissue rich in mitochondria that specializes in producing heat rather than storing energy.

White Fat

The most common form of adipose tissue in human adults, functioning primarily in energy storage, thermal insulation, and shock absorption.

Lymphoid Organs

Organs such as lymph nodes and the spleen that feature a structural meshwork composed of reticular connective tissue.

Visceral Pleura

The inner layer of the serous membrane that adheres directly to the external surface of the lungs.

Parietal Pleura

The outer layer of the serous membrane lining the internal chest wall around the lungs.

Visceral Peritoneum

The inner serous membrane layer covering organs situated within the abdominopelvic cavity.

Parietal Peritoneum

The outer serous membrane layer lining the interior body wall of the abdominopelvic cavity.

Potential Space

The narrow slit-like space between visceral and parietal layers of serous membranes, containing serous fluid to eliminate friction during organ movement.

Synovial Membranes

Membranes lining joint cavities that produce lubricating synovial fluid to reduce friction in moving joints.

Cutaneous Membrane

The skin covering the exterior of the body, comprised of stratified squamous epithelium resting on underlying connective tissue.

Neuroglia

Supporting non-neuronal cells in nervous tissue that protect, nourish, and provide structural support for neurons.

Intercalated Discs

Specialized cell junctions found exclusively in cardiac muscle cells that allow mechanical attachment and rapid electrical conductivity.