Histology Terms

Histology

study of tissues

tissue

A group of similar cells that perform the same function.

epithelia

cells that make coverings and linings

simple epithelia

one layer of epithelial cells

stratified epithelia

two or more layers of epithelial cells

connective tissue

provides support for your body and connects all its parts

neural tissue

conducts electrical impulses, carries information

muscle tissue

Tissue made of cells capable of contracting.

four primary tissue types

epithelial, connective, muscle, neural

vascular

has a blood supply

avascular

has no blood supply

basement membrane

Layer between epithelium and underlying connective tissue, made of fibers and no cells

apical surface

surface of an epithelial cell that faces away from the basement membrane

squamous

flat, "fried egg," epithelial cells

cuboidal

cube shaped cells

columnar

column shaped cells

two types of connective tissue proper

loose and dense

two types of dense connective tissue proper

regular and irregular

two types of fluid connective tissue

blood and lymph

two types of dense regular connective tissue

tendons and ligaments

two types of supporting connective tissues

cartilage and bone

fibroblasts

In connective tissue, cells that secrete the proteins of the fibers.

mast cells

Cells that release chemicals (such as histamine) that promote inflammation, found in epithelia

adipocytes

fat cells

Macrophages

cells that engulf foreign materials, can be found in connective tissue

reticular fibers

Fibers made of collagen fibers that are very thin and branched.

collagen fibers

Strongest and most abundant type

Tough; provides strength

elastic fibers

Flexible and "stretchy" fibers that add elasticity to tissue

Striations

alternate dark and light bands found on skeletal and cardiac muscle

intercalated discs

Attachment sites between the transverse lines between cardiac muscle cells

pacemaker cells

heart cells that regularly produce spontaneous electrical impulses

dendrites

receive messages from other cells, part of a neuron

cell body

Largest part of a typical neuron; contains the nucleus and much of the cytoplasm

axon

part of the neuron that sends electrical messages

neuron

nerve cell

neuroglia

cells that support and protect neurons

Muscle tissue

Tissue made of cells capable of contracting.

Neural Tissue

conducts electrical impulses, carries information

endocrine gland

a gland that secretes into blood and lymph

exocrine glands

glands that secrete material on to the surfaces of tissues

Matrix

a mixture of ground substance and fibers that fills the space between cells in connective tissue

ground substance

fluid or semi-fluid portion of the matrix

chondrocyte

cartilage cell

Osteocyte

bone cell

3 types of cells found in blood

red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets

most flexible cartilage type

elastic cartilage

most dense cartilage type

fibrocartilage

most abundant type of cartilage

hyaline cartilage

Two fibers found in muscle

actin and myosin