Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology - Chapter 2: Tissues

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the types, classifications, and functions of tissues, including epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissues as described in Chapter 2.

Tissues

Groups of cells with similar structure and function.

Histology

The study of tissues.

Basement membrane

The structure to which epithelial cells are anchored to each other and to underlying tissues.

Squamous epithelial cells

Flat, irregularly shaped cells that line the heart, blood and lymphatic vessels, body cavities, and alveoli.

Cuboidal epithelial cells

Cube-shaped cells that line kidney tubules and cover the ovaries and secretory parts of certain glands.

Columnar epithelial cells

Elongated cells with the nucleus generally near the bottom, often ciliated, lining the digestive and respiratory tracts.

Simple arrangement

An epithelial classification consisting of one cell layer.

Stratified arrangement

An epithelial classification consisting of several layers of cells.

Pseudostratified arrangement

An epithelial arrangement that appears to be several layers but is actually one layer where all cells attach to the same basement membrane.

Transitional epithelium

An arrangement of several layers of easily stretched cells found in the bladder and ureters.

Goblet cells

Unicellular glands that secrete mucus.

Exocrine glands

Glands that secrete material to the skin’s surface through ducts; can be simple or compound.

Endocrine glands

Ductless glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream, such as the thyroid and pituitary glands.

Endothelium

The simple squamous epithelium that lines the circulatory system.

Endocardium

The specific endothelium that lines the heart.

Extracellular matrix

The nonliving material that surrounds living cells in connective tissue, composed of ground substance and fibers.

Collagen fibers

Thick, strong, and the most abundant type of fiber found in the connective tissue matrix.

Elastin fibers

Flexible fibers that allow connective tissue to stretch and return to its original shape.

Reticular fibers

Thin, branching collagen fibers that form the framework for organs.

Areolar tissue

The most widely distributed loose connective tissue, which attaches skin to underlying tissues and forms membranes around the brain and spinal cord.

Fibroblasts

Small, flattened, irregular cells in loose connective tissue that are active in the repair of injury and the formation of fibrils.

Macrophages

Large and mobile phagocytic cells that consume debris and microorganisms outside the circulatory system.

Mast Cells

Roundish or polygonal cells found close to blood vessels that produce heparin and histamine.

Adipose tissue

Loose connective tissue in which fat globules predominate, serving to insulate the body and store fuel.

Tendons

White, glistening bands of dense regular connective tissue that attach skeletal muscles to bones.

Ligaments

Strong, flexible bands of dense regular connective tissue that hold bones firmly together at the joints.

Aponeuroses

Flat, wide bands of dense regular connective tissue that hold one muscle to another or to the periosteum.

Fasciae

Fibrous connective tissue sheets of the irregular variety that wrap around muscle bundles.

Chondrocytes

The specific cells found in cartilage tissue.

Lacunae

Small cavities within the matrix of cartilage and bone where cells are located.

Hyaline cartilage

The most widespread cartilage type, Featuring a rubbery matrix with no visible fibers; found in the nasal septum and fetal skeleton.

Fibrocartilage

A highly compressible cartilage containing tough collagenous fibers, found in the cushion-like discs between vertebrae.

Osteocytes

Bone cells located in lacunae within a hard matrix of calcium and phosphorus salts.

Dentin

The light brown material that forms the bulk of teeth; it is harder and denser than bone.

Enamel

The white substance that covers the crown of the tooth.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells.

Leukocytes

White blood cells.

Lymph

A fluid made up of water, glucose, protein, fats, and salt that transports extracellular fluids back into the circulatory system.

Cutaneous membrane

The skin; a dry membrane made of stratified epithelium and underlying connective tissue exposed to the external environment.

Mucous membranes

Membranes that line body cavities opening to the outside, such as the digestive and respiratory tracts.

Serous membranes

Membranes lining body cavities with no opening to the outside; consists of a parietal layer lining cavity walls and a visceral layer covering organs.

Synovial membranes

Connective tissue membranes that line the cavities of freely moving joints and secrete lubricating fluid.

Smooth muscle

Nonstriated, involuntary muscle controlled by the autonomic nervous system, found in the walls of hollow organs.

Skeletal muscle

Striated, voluntary muscle attached to the skeleton that produces body movement.

Cardiac muscle

Striated, involuntary muscle found in the heart walls, featuring branched cells and intercalated disks.

Intercalated disks

Specialized junctions where cardiac muscle cells connect to coordinate the pumping of the heart.

Neurons

Large, branching cells of the nervous tissue that conduct electrical impulses.

Dendrites

Rootlike extensions of a neuron that receive stimuli and conduct them toward the cell body.

Axons

Long, thin extensions of a neuron that transmit impulses away from the cell body toward axon endings.

Neuroglia

Supporting cells of the nervous tissue that do not conduct electrical impulses.

Irritability

The ability of nerve tissue to respond to environmental changes.

Conductivity

The ability of nerve tissue to carry a nerve impulse or message.