Anatomy and Physiology 2e - Chapter 4: The Tissue Level of Organization

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing tissue types, epithelial structures, connective tissues, muscle tissue, and nervous tissue from OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e Chapter 4.

Epithelial Tissue

A primary tissue type that covers body surfaces, lines hollow organs and cavities, and forms glands.

Connective Tissue

A primary tissue type that supports and protects the body and its organs.

Muscle Tissue

A primary tissue type responsible for body movement and motion.

Nervous Tissue

A primary tissue type that mediates perception and response by transmitting and receiving impulses.

Tissue Membranes

Structures categorized into connective tissue membranes (such as synovial membranes) and epithelial membranes (including mucous, serous, and cutaneous membranes).

Mucous Membranes

Epithelial membranes that line the digestive, respiratory, urinary, and reproductive tracts, coated with secretions of mucous glands.

Serous Membranes

Epithelial membranes that line body cavities closed to the exterior of the body, including the peritoneal, pleural, and pericardial cavities.

Cutaneous Membrane

The epithelial membrane that covers the body surface, commonly known as the skin.

Synovial Membranes

Connective tissue membranes that line joint cavities and produce the fluid within the joint.

Simple vs. Stratified Epithelium

Simple epithelial tissue is organized as a single layer of cells, whereas stratified epithelial tissue is formed by several layers of cells.

Goblet Cell

A specialized mucous-secreting epithelial cell interspersed among columnar cells in the lining of tissues such as the small intestine.

Simple Squamous Epithelium

A single layer of flat epithelial cells located in the air sacs of lungs and lining of the heart, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels; allows material passage by diffusion and filtration.

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

A single layer of cube-shaped cells located in ducts and secretory portions of small glands and kidney tubules; functions in secretion and absorption.

Simple Columnar Epithelium

A single layer of tall cells located in ciliated form in larger bronchioles, uterine tubes, and uterus, and in nonciliated form in the digestive tract and bladder; absorbs and secretes mucus and enzymes.

Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium

A single layer of cells appearing stratified; ciliated tissue lines the bronchi, trachea, and upper respiratory tract to secrete and move mucus.

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Multiple layers of flat cells lining the esophagus, mouth, and vagina; functions to protect against abrasion.

Stratified Cuboidal Epithelium

Multiple layers of cube-shaped cells located in sweat glands, salivary glands, and mammary glands; functions as protective tissue.

Stratified Columnar Epithelium

Multiple layers of tall cells located in the male and female urethrae and ducts of some glands; functions in secretion and protection.

Transitional Epithelium

An epithelial tissue lining the bladder, urethra, and ureters that allows urinary organs to expand and stretch.

Merocrine Secretion

A mode of exocrine secretion where the cell remains completely intact during the secretion process.

Apocrine Secretion

A mode of exocrine secretion in which the apical portion of the secretory cell is released along with the product.

Holocrine Secretion

A mode of exocrine secretion where the mature cell is destroyed upon releasing its product, becoming part of the secretion itself.

Connective Tissue Categories

Connective tissue is classified into Connective Tissue Proper (loose and dense), Supportive Connective Tissue (cartilage and bone), and Fluid Connective Tissue (blood and lymph).

Fibroblasts

Cells in connective tissue proper that produce fibrous tissue; fixed cells of connective tissue proper also include fibrocytes, adipocytes, and mesenchymal cells.

Adipose Tissue

A loose connective tissue consisting of fat cells (adipocytes) with little extracellular matrix, functioning to store fat for energy and provide insulation.

Reticular Tissue

A loose connective tissue composed of a network of reticular fibers that provides a supportive framework for soft organs.

Dense Regular and Irregular Connective Tissue

Dense regular connective tissue consists of collagenous fibers packed in parallel bundles; dense irregular connective tissue consists of collagenous fibers interwoven into a mesh-like network.

Cartilage Types

Connective tissue with collagenous fibers in a chondroitin sulfate matrix, comprising Hyaline (support with flexibility), Fibrocartilage (compressibility and pressure absorption), and Elastic Cartilage (firm, elastic support).

Blood

A fluid connective tissue containing erythrocytes and various types of leukocytes circulating in a liquid extracellular matrix.

Skeletal Muscle Tissue

Muscle tissue composed of long cylindrical, striated fibers with many peripherally located nuclei, providing voluntary movement, heat production, and organ protection.

Cardiac Muscle Tissue

Muscle tissue found in the heart consisting of short, branched, striated cells with a single central nucleus that contract to pump blood.

Smooth Muscle Tissue

Involuntary muscle tissue composed of short, spindle-shaped cells without evident striations and a single nucleus per fiber, located in walls of major organs and passageways.

Soma

The cell body of a neuron that contains the nucleus and mitochondria.

Dendrites

Neuronal structures that transfer nerve impulses toward the soma.

Axon

The process of a neuron that carries action potentials away from the soma toward another excitable cell.

Neuroglia

Glial cells in nervous tissue—such as astrocytes, microglial cells, and oligodendrocytes—that support, protect, and assist neurons.