Histology Chapter 4

Epithelial tissue

(ep′-ih-THEE-lee-ul) A tissue type composed of epithelial cells and a thin basal layer of extracellular matrix; functions to cover and line all body surfaces and hollow organs.

Dense irregular connective tissue

A type of connective tissue proper that contains collagen fibers arranged in irregular bundles; found in locations such as joint and organ capsules and the dermis.

Tissue repair

The process by which tissue damage is repaired.

Mast cell

A tissue-bound immune cell found in many types of connective tissue that secretes inflammatory mediators.

Chondrocyte

(KAHN-droh-sy’t) The main cell type in cartilage that maintains the extracellular matrix of the tissue.

Stratified columnar epithelium

Several layers of cuboidal epithelial cells and the underlying basal lamina; lines the ducts of certain exocrine glands.

Hyaline cartilage

(HY-ah-lin) A type of cartilage with ground substance as the predominant element; found in locations such as the articulating ends of bones, between the sternum and ribs, and in the nose.

Platelet

(PLAYT-let) The cellular fragment of a megakaryocyte that participates in blood clotting.

Synovial membrane

The inner layer of the articular capsule that secretes synovial fluid into the synovial cavity.

Osteoclast

(AWSS-tee-oh-klast) A bone-destroying cell that secretes chemicals to dissolve the organic and inorganic matrices of bone tissue.

Stratified columnar epithelium

Several layers of cuboidal epithelial cells and the underlying basal lamina; lines the ducts of certain exocrine glands.

Osteocyte

(AWSS-tee-oh-sy’t) A mature bone cell that monitors and maintains the surrounding bone matrix.

Hyaline cartilage

(HY-ah-lin) A type of cartilage with ground substance as the predominant element; found in locations such as the articulating ends of bones, between the sternum and ribs, and in the nose.

Intercalated disc

(in-TER-kuh-lay′-t’d) Specialized structure that connects adjacent cardiac muscle cells and contains gap junctions and desmosomes.

Dense irregular connective tissue

A type of connective tissue proper that contains collagen fibers arranged in irregular bundles; found in locations such as joint and organ capsules and the dermis.

Elastic fibers

Protein fibers in the extracellular matrix of a tissue that give a tissue distensibility and elasticity.

Cell body

The central portion of a neuron that contains the nucleus and the bulk of the organelles.

Platelet

(PLAYT-let) The cellular fragment of a megakaryocyte that participates in blood clotting.

Synovial membrane

The inner layer of the articular capsule that secretes synovial fluid into the synovial cavity.

Osteoclast

(AWSS-tee-oh-klast) A bone-destroying cell that secretes chemicals to dissolve the organic and inorganic matrices of bone tissue.

Collagen fibers

Protein fibers in the extracellular matrix of a tissue that are composed of the protein collagen and give a tissue tensile strength.

Adipose tissue

A type of connective tissue proper that contains adipocytes; found in locations such as the hypodermis and around organs.

Chondrocyte

(KAHN-droh-sy’t) The main cell type in cartilage that maintains the extracellular matrix of the tissue.

Osteocyte

(AWSS-tee-oh-sy’t) A mature bone cell that monitors and maintains the surrounding bone matrix.

Synovial membrane

The inner layer of the articular capsule that secretes synovial fluid into the synovial cavity.

Skeletal muscle

A tissue type composed of multinucleate skeletal muscle cells and the surrounding endomysium.

Osteoblast

(AWSS-tee-oh-blast) An immature bone cell that secretes osteoid and aids in the deposition of bone’s inorganic matrix.

Platelet

(PLAYT-let) The cellular fragment of a megakaryocyte that participates in blood clotting.

Osteoclast

(AWSS-tee-oh-klast) A bone-destroying cell that secretes chemicals to dissolve the organic and inorganic matrices of bone tissue.

Simple squamous epithelium

A single layer of squamous epithelial cells and the underlying basal lamina; found in locations such as the alveoli of the lungs, the kidneys, and lining the inner surface of blood vessels.

Cardiac muscle

A tissue type composed of wide, branching cardiac muscle cells and the surrounding endomysium.

Intercalated disc

(in-TER-kuh-lay′-t’d) Specialized structure that connects adjacent cardiac muscle cells and contains gap junctions and desmosomes.

Dense regular elastic connective tissue

A type of connective tissue proper that contains elastic fibers arranged in regular bundles; found in locations such as large blood vessels.

Mucous membrane

A sheet of epithelium and the underlying basement membrane that produces mucus; lines internal hollow organs that open to the outside.

Smooth muscle

A tissue type composed of flattened, spindle-shaped, uninucleate smooth muscle cells and the surrounding endomysium.

Reticular tissue

A type of connective tissue proper that contains reticular fibers; found in locations such as the spleen and lymph nodes.

Endocrine gland

(EN-doh-krin) A gland that secretes a hormone or hormones directly into the bloodstream to influence the functions of distant target cells.

Platelet

(PLAYT-let) The cellular fragment of a megakaryocyte that participates in blood clotting.

Osteoclast

(AWSS-tee-oh-klast) A bone-destroying cell that secretes chemicals to dissolve the organic and inorganic matrices of bone tissue.

Elastic cartilage

A type of cartilage with elastic fibers as the predominant element; found in locations such as the external ear.

Simple columnar epithelium

A single layer of columnar epithelial cells and the underlying basal lamina; found in locations such as lining the digestive tract and many other hollow organs.

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium

(soo′-doh-STRAT-ih-fy’d) A single layer of columnar epithelial cells and the underlying basal lamina; the nuclei of the cells are uneven, giving the tissue the appearance of being stratified; found in locations such as the lining of the nasal cavity and much of the respiratory tract.

Chondrocyte

(KAHN-droh-sy’t) The main cell type in cartilage that maintains the extracellular matrix of the tissue.

Collagen fibers

Protein fibers in the extracellular matrix of a tissue that are composed of the protein collagen and give a tissue tensile strength.

Simple epithelia

A type of epithelial tissue composed of a single layer of epithelial cells and the underlying basal lamina.

Blood

The fluid connective tissue consisting of formed elements and plasma.

Striations

(stry-AY-shunz) Alternating light and dark bands seen in skeletal and cardiac muscle cells.

Platelet

(PLAYT-let) The cellular fragment of a megakaryocyte that participates in blood clotting.

Osteoclast

(AWSS-tee-oh-klast) A bone-destroying cell that secretes chemicals to dissolve the organic and inorganic matrices of bone tissue.

Elastic cartilage

A type of cartilage with elastic fibers as the predominant element; found in locations such as the external ear.

Platelet

(PLAYT-let) The cellular fragment of a megakaryocyte that participates in blood clotting.

Osteoclast

(AWSS-tee-oh-klast) A bone-destroying cell that secretes chemicals to dissolve the organic and inorganic matrices of bone tissue.

Elastic cartilage

A type of cartilage with elastic fibers as the predominant element; found in locations such as the external ear.

Simple cuboidal epithelium

A single layer of cuboidal epithelial cells and the underlying basal lamina; found in locations such as the kidney tubules, many endocrine glands, and the ducts of many exocrine glands.

Desmosomes

(DEZ-moh-sohmz) Intercellular junctions that hold cells together in a tissue to increase the tissue’s resistance to mechanical stresses.

Exocrine gland

(EKS-oh-krin) A gland that secretes a product through a duct to the external surface of the body or into the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and/or genitourinary tract.

Stratified squamous epithelium

Several layers of squamous epithelial cells and the underlying basal lamina; located in the oral cavity and esophagus, the anus, and vagina.

Goblet cell

A unicellular exocrine gland that secretes mucus.

Fibroblast

A cell type within connective tissue proper that produces components of the extracellular matrix.

Cutaneous membrane

(kyoo-TAYN-ee-us) Another name for the skin or integument.

Muscle fiber

An alternate name for a skeletal muscle cell.

Exocrine gland

(EKS-oh-krin) A gland that secretes a product through a duct to the external surface of the body or into the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and/or genitourinary tract.

Stratified squamous epithelium

Several layers of squamous epithelial cells and the underlying basal lamina; located in the oral cavity and esophagus, the anus, and vagina.

Simple cuboidal epithelium

A single layer of cuboidal epithelial cells and the underlying basal lamina; found in locations such as the kidney tubules, many endocrine glands, and the ducts of many exocrine glands.

Goblet cell

A unicellular exocrine gland that secretes mucus.

Fibroblast

A cell type within connective tissue proper that produces components of the extracellular matrix.

Cutaneous membrane

(kyoo-TAYN-ee-us) Another name for the skin or integument.

Neuron

(NOOR-ahn) A nerve cell capable of sending and receiving messages in the form of local and action potentials.

Neuroglial cell

(noor-oh-GLEE-uhl) A supporting cell of nervous tissue.

Basement membrane

Two layers of extracellular matrix—the basal lamia and the reticular lamina—that anchor an epithelial tissue to the underlying connective tissue.

Adipocyte

(AD-ih-poh-sy’t) The main cell type in adipose tissue; each cell contains a large lipid droplet in its cytoplasm.

Axon

A single extension of a neuron that can generate action potentials; generally carries information away from the cell body.

Exocrine gland

(EKS-oh-krin) A gland that secretes a product through a duct to the external surface of the body or into the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and/or genitourinary tract.

Stratified squamous epithelium

Several layers of squamous epithelial cells and the underlying basal lamina; located in the oral cavity and esophagus, the anus, and vagina.

Goblet cell

A unicellular exocrine gland that secretes mucus.

Fibroblast

A cell type within connective tissue proper that produces components of the extracellular matrix.

Cutaneous membrane

(kyoo-TAYN-ee-us) Another name for the skin or integument.

Neuron

(NOOR-ahn) A nerve cell capable of sending and receiving messages in the form of local and action potentials.

Neuroglial cell

(noor-oh-GLEE-uhl) A supporting cell of nervous tissue.

Basement membrane

Two layers of extracellular matrix—the basal lamia and the reticular lamina—that anchor an epithelial tissue to the underlying connective tissue.