Chapter 5: Tissues Study Guide Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering the primary tissue types, classifications, gland types, connective tissue components, and tissue modifications from the Chapter 5 lecture.

Histology

The study of tissues.

Tissue

A group of similar cells and extracellular material (matrix) that perform a common, specific function.

Apical Surface

The exposed surface of epithelial tissue, such as the part of the skin you touch or the inside of a cheek.

Lateral Surface

The side of epithelial cells containing intercellular junctions (tight junctions, desmosomes, gap junctions) that hold cells together.

Basal Surface

The bottom layer of epithelial tissue attached to the underlying connective tissue.

Avascularity

A characteristic of epithelial tissues where they lack a direct blood supply and obtain nutrients via diffusion.

Simple Epithelium Layers

$1$ layer of cells where every cell touches the basement membrane;

Stratified Epithelium Layers

$2$ or more layers of cells where only the basal layer touches the membrane;

Pseudostratified Epithelium Layers

A tissue that appears layered due to nuclei at different levels but is actually a single layer with all cells contacting the basement membrane.

Squamous Cells

Cells that are flat, thin, and irregular, appearing like a fried egg or "cracked egg."

Cuboidal Cells

Cube-shaped cells about as tall as they are wide with a central, spherical nucleus.

Columnar Cells

Tall, slender pillars or column-like cells that are taller than they are wide with an oval nucleus.

Transitional Cells

Polyhedral cells that change shape (from polyhedral to flat) based on the stretch or recoil of the organ, such as the urinary bladder.

Goblet Cells

Unicellular exocrine glands scattered among epithelial cells that secrete mucin, which becomes mucus when hydrated.

Endocrine Glands

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

Exocrine Glands

Glands that possess ducts to transport secretions to an epithelial surface, such as sweat, salivary, and mammary glands.

Merocrine Glands

Glands that package secretions into vesicles and release them via exocytosis without damaging the cell (e.g., lacrimal/tear glands and most sweat glands).

Apocrine Glands

Glands where the apical membrane of the cell pinches off to release the secretion, after which the cell repairs itself (e.g., mammary glands).

Holocrine Glands

Glands where the entire cell accumulates a product, then disintegrates and ruptures to release it (e.g., sebaceous/oil glands).

Extracellular Matrix

The combination of ground substance and protein fibers produced by connective tissue cells.

Mesenchyme

The embryonic tissue from which all connective tissues are derived.

Fibroblasts

The most abundant resident cells in connective tissue proper that produce the fibers and ground substance of the extracellular matrix.

Adipocytes

Fat cells found in adipose tissue that store energy, insulate, and protect.

Plasma Cells

Specialized cells in connective tissue formed from B-lymphocytes that are responsible for the production of antibodies.

Mast Cells

Small, mobile cells in connective tissue that secrete heparin and histamine to assist in the body's inflammatory and immune response.

Macrophages

Large cells derived from monocytes that perform phagocytosis by engulfing and destroying bacteria or damaged cells.

Collagen Fibers

Most abundant protein fibers; strong, flexible, unbranched, cable-like fibers resistant to stretching.

Reticular Fibers

Tough but flexible fibers that form an interwoven network (stroma) in the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes.

Elastic Fibers

Wavy fibers containing the protein elastin that stretch and recoil easily; found in the skin, lungs, and arteries.

Costal Cartilage

A specific type of Hyaline cartilage that attaches the ribs to the sternum.

Skeletal Muscle

Voluntary, striated muscle tissue composed of long, cylindrical, multinucleate fibers attached to bones.

Cardiac Muscle

Involuntary, striated, and branched muscle tissue found in the wall of the heart (myocardium) featuring intercalated discs.

Smooth Muscle

Involuntary, non-striated, spindle-shaped (fusiform) muscle tissue found in the lining of hollow organs and tubes.

Neurons

Nerve cells that receive, process, and transmit electrical signals, composed of a cell body (soma), dendrites, and an axon.

Glial Cells

Supporting cells that nourish and protect neurons but do not conduct electrical impulses.

Serous Membrane

A physical barrier consisting of parietal and visceral layers that lines body cavities not open to the exterior and covers organs.

Hypertrophy

An increase in the size of existing cells in a tissue.

Hyperplasia

An increase in the number of cells in a tissue.

Atrophy

The shrinkage of tissue due to a decrease in cell size or cell number.

Metaplasia

The transformation of one mature epithelial tissue type into another type, such as in the trachea of smokers.

Necrosis

Tissue death due to irreversible damage, such as frostbite or diminished blood supply.

Mucous Membrane

Lines compartments open to the exterior (nose, mouth, digestive tract).

Cutaneous Membrane

A protective layer that covers the body surface, commonly known as skin, which includes the epidermis and dermis.

Synovial Membrane

Found in the joints; secretes synovial fluid to reduce friction.

Soma

The cell body of a neuron, containing the nucleus and organelles.

Dendrites

Branch-like structures of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons and transmit them to the cell body.

Axon

long extension of a neuoron that carries signals away from the cell body.

Skeletal Muscle Nucleus

Multinucleate

Cardiac Muscle Nucleus

uninucleate (occasionally bi)

Smooth Muscle Nucleus

Uninucleate

Skeletal Muscle cell shape

Long, cylindrical fibers.

Cardiac Muscle cell shape

branched

Smooth Muscle cell shape

Spindle-shaped (Fusiform).

Skeletal Muscle Striations

striated (dark/light bands)

Cardiac Muscle Striations

striated

Smooth Muscle Striations

non-striated

Lymph

Derived from blood plasma; it is a clear fluid picked up by the lymphatic system and filtered by lymph nodes.

Blood

Composed of formed elements (erythrocytes/red cells, leukocytes/white cells, and platelets) and a liquid matrix called plasma.

Hyaline Cartilage

Most abundant; glassy clear/transparent appearance.It provides support and flexibility, found in areas such as the joints, ribs, and nose.

Fibrocartilage

Very tough and strong with thick fibers. It provides support and absorbs shock; commonly found in intervertebral discs, pubic symphysis, and menisci of the knee.

Elastic Cartilage

Flexible and springy; contains elastic fibers. External ear, epiglottis.

Connective Tissue

consists of three basic components: cells, fibers, and ground substance (the matrix).

Simple Epithilial Cells function

designed for diffusion, absorption, and secretion.

Stratified Ep. Cell Function

Protection against mechanical stress.

Pseudostratified Epethilial Functions

Secretion and movement of mucus (ciliated).

Simple ep. Location

Alveoli (lungs), capillaries, intestines.

Stratified Ep. Location

Skin, esophagus, bladder.

Pseudostratified Ep Location

Respiratory tract, trachea.

Cellularity

A characteristic of epithelial tissues; Composed almost entirely of tightly packed cells with little to no extracellular matrix.

Resident Cells

Cells that are permanently housed within a tissue, contributing to its structure and function, such as fibroblasts in connective tissue. These cells play vital roles in tissue maintenance and repair.

Wandering Cells

Cells that move through the connective tissues, providing defense and repairing tissue, such as macrophages and mast cells.