Histology Vocab

Histology

A branch of anatomy that deals with the minute structure of animal and plant tissues as discernible with the microscope

Adipocytes

A specialized cell of adipose tissue that stores excess energy in the form of triglyceride droplets and secretes various substances that play a role in various physiological processes= fat cell

Apical Surface

The free, exposed side of an epithelial cell that faces an internal body cavity (lumen), a tubular duct, or the outside environment

Apoptosis

A genetically directed process of cell self-destruction that is marked by the fragmentation of nuclear DNA, is activated either by the presence of a stimulus or removal of a suppressing agent or stimulus is a normal physiological process eliminating DNA-damaged, superfluous, or unwanted cells, and when halted may result in uncontrolled cell growth and tumor formation

Avascular

Having few or no blood vessels

Basal Surface

The bottom edge or side of a cell or tissue layer that rests next to the basement membrane

Cartilage

A usually translucent somewhat elastic tissue that composes most of the skeleton of vertebrate embryos and except for a small number of structures is replaced by bone during ossification in the higher vertebrates

Chondroblast

A cell that produces cartilage

Connective Tissue

The parts of the body(such as ligaments, tendons, and cartilage) that support and hold together the other parts of the body(such as muscles, organs, and bones)

Cutaneous Membrane

The skin, which forms the outer protective covering of the body

Duct

A narrow tubular channel or vessel that transports fluids, secretions, or gases from one part of an organism, system, or environment to another

Ectoderm layer

The outermost of the three primary germ layers that forms during the early embryonic development of most animals

Endocrine Gland

A ductless organ or tissue that synthesizes and secretes chemical messengers called hormones directly into. The interstitial fluid and bloodstream to regulate distant target organs and maintain physiological homeostasis

Endoderm Layer

The innermost of the three primary germ layers ina developing animal embryo

Epithelial Tissue

A continuous sheet of tightly packed cells that covers external surfaces, lines internal cavities and hollow organs, and forms glands

Exocrine Gland

A specialized organ or group of cell that synthesizes and releases secretory products through a duct or tube onto an internal or external epithelial surface

Extracellular Matrix

A dynamic network of proteins and sugars outside of cells that provides structural support and chemical signals to tissues

Fibroblast

The primary active cell of connective tissue that synthesizes the extracellular matrix and collagen to maintain the structural framework of animal tissues

Fibrosis

The pathological or excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components - such as collagen - that destroys normal tissue architecture and impairs organ function

Goblet Cell

A specialized, column-shaped epithelial cell that secretes ge;-forming mucin to create a protective mucus layer on mucous membranes

Ground Substance

An amorphous, gel-like, transparent material that fills the space between cells and fibers in connective tissues

Hormone

Chemical messenger molecules made by specialized glands

Inflammation

Complex, localized biological response of vascularized tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens(bacteria,viruses), damaged cells(trauma), or toxic compounds

Intercalated Disc

A specialized, complex, cell-to-cell junction that connects adjacent individual cardiac muscle cells (cardiomyocytes) end-to-end

Macrophages

A specialized, large phagocytic white blood cell of the innate immune system that engulfs and digests cellular debris, foreign substances, and pathogens

Mesenchyme

A type of embryonic connective tissue made of unspecialized, loosely packed cells floating in a watery, gel-like fluid

Mesoderm Layer

The middle primary germ cell layer in a triploblastic animal embryo, situated between the outer ectoderm and the inner endoderm

Muscle Tissue

A specialized soft animal tissue made of cells that can shorten and contract to create force and movement

Necrosis

The pathological, uncontrolled death of cells and living tissue caused by external noxious stimuli, physical injury, lack of blood flow, or severe infection

Nervous Tissue

The primary specialized tissue of the nervous system that senses stimuli and transmits electrochemical signals throughout the body

Osteoblast

A specialized, cuboidal cell derived from mesenchymal stem cells that is responsible for bone formation and mineralization

Regeneration

The natural process of replacing, renewing, or restoring damaged or missing cells, tissues, organs, and body parts to full function

Scar Tissue

A dense network of fibrous connective tissue that replaces normal parenchymal tissue after damage from disease, trauma, or surgery

Secretion

The biological process by which a cell, gland, or organism synthesizes and releases a useful substance

Serous Membrane

A smooth double-layered tissue that lines closed body cavities and covers the outer surfaces of internal organs

Simple Epithelium

A single, continuous layer of cells where every cell touches the underlying basement membrane

Stratified Epithelium

A type of biological tissue made of two or more tacked layers of cells that rest on a basement membrane

Steiation

A series of parallel lines, grooves, ridges, or alternating bands found on a surface or inside a material

Tissue

A group of similar cells and their extracellular material that work together to preform a specific function

White Blood Cell

Leukocyte, a nucleated cellular component of the blood and lymphatic system that lacks hemoglobin and defends the body against infections, foreign pathogens, and diseases