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Anatomy & Physiology: Chapter 4 - Tissues

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Terms in this set (21)

  • What is a tissue?

    A tissue is a group of cells with similar structure that performs a common function and may contain nonliving extracellular matrix.

  • What are the four primary tissue types and their main roles?

    Epithelial: covering, lining, glands.
    Connective: support, binding, protection.
    Muscle: movement.
    Nervous: control and communication.

  • How does tissue structure predict function?

    Thin tissue favors diffusion or filtration; many layers favor protection; parallel collagen resists pull in one direction; irregular collagen resists tension from multiple directions.

  • What are the special characteristics of epithelial tissue?

    Cellularity: tightly packed cells.
    Specialized contacts: cell junctions.
    Polarity: apical and basal surfaces differ.
    Connective-tissue support: basement membrane.
    Avascular but innervated.
    Regeneration: rapid cell division.

  • How is epithelium classified by layers?

    Simple: one layer, all cells touch basement membrane.
    Stratified: two or more layers, only basal cells touch basement membrane.

  • How is epithelium classified by apical cell shape?

    Squamous: wider than tall, flat nuclei.
    Cuboidal: as wide as tall, round nuclei.
    Columnar: taller than wide, oval nuclei near basal surface.

  • What is pseudostratified epithelium?

    All cells contact basement membrane but nuclei appear at different heights, creating a false multilayered look; often ciliated with goblet cells.

  • Identify simple squamous epithelium and its function.

    One thin layer with flat nuclei; functions in diffusion, filtration, and lubrication; found in alveoli, kidney glomeruli, blood vessels, and serous membranes.

  • What distinguishes keratinized from nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium?

    Keratinized: dead surface cells filled with keratin, waterproof and abrasion resistant (epidermis).
    Nonkeratinized: living moist surface cells, protect moist openings (mouth, esophagus).

  • What defines connective tissue?

    Cells separated by abundant extracellular matrix; matrix composition and fiber arrangement determine mechanical properties.

  • Name the three main protein fibers in connective tissue and their functions.

    Collagen: tensile strength.
    Elastic fibers: stretch and recoil.
    Reticular fibers: supportive networks.

  • What are the main types and functions of connective tissue proper?

    Adipose: energy reserve, insulation.
    Reticular: supportive stroma.
    Dense regular: tensile strength in one direction.
    Dense irregular: resists tension multidirectionally.
    Elastic: stretch and recoil.

  • What are the characteristics of cartilage tissue?

    Firm, flexible, up to 80% water matrix; avascular; chondroblasts secrete matrix; mature chondrocytes in lacunae.

  • Compare hyaline, elastic, and fibrocartilage.

    Hyaline: glassy matrix, support and cushioning.
    Elastic: visible elastic fibers, flexible support.
    Fibrocartilage: thick collagen bundles, tensile strength and shock absorption.

  • What are key features of bone tissue?

    Mineralized matrix with calcium salts and collagen; osteoblasts secrete matrix; osteocytes in lacunae; well vascularized; provides rigid support and mineral storage.

  • What defines blood as a connective tissue?

    Cells suspended in fluid extracellular matrix; transports gases, nutrients, and wastes; located within blood vessels.

  • What are the three types of muscle tissue and their characteristics?

    Skeletal: long, cylindrical, multinucleate, striated, voluntary.
    Cardiac: short, branching, usually one nucleus, striated, involuntary, intercalated discs.
    Smooth: spindle-shaped, one nucleus, nonstriated, involuntary.

  • How can you quickly identify skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle histologically?

    Skeletal: many peripheral nuclei + striations.
    Cardiac: branching striated cells + intercalated discs.
    Smooth: spindle-shaped cells, no striations.

  • What are the two main cell types in nervous tissue and their functions?

    Neurons: generate and conduct nerve impulses.
    Neuroglia: nourish, insulate, and protect neurons.

  • What is the general structure of body membranes?

    Most combine an epithelial sheet with underlying connective tissue to cover internal or external surfaces.

  • Describe the three main types of body membranes.

    Cutaneous: keratinized stratified squamous epithelium + connective tissue (skin).
    Mucous: epithelium + lamina propria, lines organs opening to body surface.
    Serous: simple squamous mesothelium + areolar connective tissue, lines closed cavities.