Anatomy & Physiology Lecture Notes

This set of flashcards covers essential vocabulary and concepts from a lecture on Anatomy & Physiology, specifically focusing on tissues.

Tissues

Groups of similar cells and extracellular material that perform a common function.

Epithelial Tissue

Type of tissue composed of tightly packed cells with minimal extracellular matrix, covering body surfaces and lining cavities.

Polarity

Refers to the orientation of epithelial cells, with apical surfaces facing the external environment and basal surfaces attached to connective tissue.

Simple Epithelium

A single layer of epithelial cells that performs functions such as filtration, absorption, or secretion.

Stratified Epithelium

Two or more layers of epithelial cells, providing protection in areas subjected to mechanical stress.

Squamous Cells

Flat, wide, irregularly shaped epithelial cells with a flattened nucleus.

Cuboidal Cells

Epithelial cells that are as tall as they are wide, with a spherical nucleus in the center.

Columnar Cells

Tall and slender epithelial cells, with an oval nucleus oriented lengthwise.

Transitional Epithelium

Type of epithelium that can change shape depending on stretching, found in the urinary tract.

Endocrine Glands

Glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream without the use of ducts.

Exocrine Glands

Glands that secrete substances through ducts to an epithelial surface.

Goblet Cells

Unicellular glands found in epithelial tissue that secrete mucin to form mucus.

Connective Tissue (CT)

Most diverse tissue type, characterized by cells suspended in an extracellular matrix.

Resident Cells

Stationary cells within connective tissue that support and maintain the extracellular matrix.

Wandering Cells

Cells that move through connective tissue and are primarily involved in the immune response.

Collagen Fibers

Strong protein fibers that provide structures with strength and support.

Elastic Fibers

Fibers that allow tissues to stretch and recoil, found in skin and blood vessels.

Hyaline Cartilage

Most common type of cartilage that provides flexible support in certain structures.

Fibrocartilage

Cartilage that acts as a good shock absorber and resists compression, found in intervertebral discs.

Bone Tissue

The hardest type of connective tissue, providing strong support and housing blood-forming cells.

Blood

Fluid connective tissue composed of cells and a liquid matrix called plasma.