Chapter 3

Primary Tissues

connective, epithelial, muscle, and nervous tissue.

Connective Tissue

A type of tissue that supports, binds, and protects other tissues and organs.

Epithelial Tissue

A tissue that covers body surfaces and lines cavities and organs.

Muscle Tissue

A tissue responsible for movement in the body, including skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle.

Nervous Tissue

A tissue that transmits nerve impulses and processes information in the body.

Extracellular Matrix

The area surrounding cells that provides structural and biochemical support.

Ground Substance

The non-cellular material in the extracellular matrix that fills the space between cells.

Histological Sections

Thin slices of tissue used for microscopic examination.

Simple Epithelial Tissue

A single layer of cells that allows for absorption and filtration.

Stratified Epithelial Tissue

Multiple layers of cells that provide protection.

Basement Membrane

A thin layer that anchors epithelial tissue to underlying connective tissue.

Squamous Epithelial Cells

Flat, scale-like cells found in various tissues.

Cuboidal Epithelial Cells

Cube-shaped cells that are involved in secretion and absorption.

Columnar Epithelial Cells

Tall, column-like cells that also function in secretion and absorption.

Goblet Cells

Specialized epithelial cells that secrete mucus.

Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium

A type of epithelial tissue that appears stratified but is actually a single layer.

Transitional Epithelium

A type of epithelial tissue that can stretch and change shape.

Fibroblasts

Cells in connective tissue that produce fibers and ground substance.

Loose Connective Tissue

A type of connective tissue that provides support and flexibility.

Dense Connective Tissue

A type of connective tissue that provides strength and resistance to stretching.

Cartilage

A flexible connective tissue that provides support and cushioning.

Blood

A fluid connective tissue that transports nutrients, gases, and waste.

Bone (Osseous Tissue)

A hard connective tissue that provides structure and support to the body.

Neuroglia (Glial) Cells

Supportive cells in nervous tissue that protect and assist neurons.

Neurons

The basic functional units of nervous tissue, consisting of a cell body, dendrites, and an axon.

Skeletal Muscle

Striated muscle tissue that is under voluntary control.

Cardiac Muscle

Striated muscle tissue found in the heart, involuntary and contains intercalated discs.

Smooth Muscle

Non-striated muscle tissue that is involuntary and fusiform in shape.

Endocrine Glands

Glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Exocrine Glands

Glands that secrete substances through ducts onto body surfaces or into cavities.

Serous Glands

Glands that secrete thin, watery fluids.

Mucous Glands

Glands that secrete mucin, which absorbs water to form mucus.

Mixed Glands

Glands that secrete both watery and mucous secretions.

Eccrine (Merocrine) Glands

Glands that secrete via exocytosis, such as tear glands and pancreas.

Apocrine Glands

Glands that release secretions by budding off surface droplets, functional at puberty.

Holocrine Glands

Glands where the entire cell pinches off to release secretions, such as oil glands.

Hyperplasia

An increase in the number of cells in a tissue.

Hypertrophy

An increase in the size of cells in a tissue.

Neoplasia

The development of a tumor or abnormal growth of tissue.

Differentiation

The process by which cells specialize in form and function.

Metaplasia

The transformation of one type of tissue into another.

Regeneration

The process of replacing dead or damaged cells.

Fibrosis

The formation of scar tissue in response to injury.

Atrophy

A decrease in the size or number of cells in a tissue.

Necrosis

The pathological death of tissue.

Infarction

Tissue death due to a lack of blood supply.

Gangrene

Tissue death due to insufficient blood supply, often leading to necrosis.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death that occurs as a normal part of growth and development.