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Anatomy & Physiology: Histology and Integumentary System

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Terms in this set (28)

  • What are the four types of tissues in the human body?
    Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, and Nervous tissues.
  • What are the defining characteristics of epithelial tissue?
    Closely packed cells with little extracellular space, connected to a basement membrane, and avascular (no direct blood supply).
  • Where is epithelial tissue found in the body?
    Covers exposed surfaces externally and internally, lines digestive, respiratory, reproductive tracts, glands, body cavities, blood vessels, and heart chambers.
  • What are the main functions of epithelial tissue?
    Protection, control of permeability, excretion of wastes, and glandular secretions.
  • How is epithelial tissue classified by cell shape?
    Squamous (flat), Cuboidal (cube-shaped), Columnar (column-shaped), and Transitional (variable shape for stretching).
  • How is epithelial tissue classified by layers?
    Simple (one layer), Stratified (multiple layers), and Pseudostratified (appears layered but all cells touch basement membrane).
  • What is the function of goblet cells in epithelial tissue?
    Goblet cells are unicellular exocrine glands that produce mucus.
  • What are the three main components of connective tissue?
    Specialized cells, extracellular protein fibers (collagen or elastin), and extracellular matrix or ground substance.
  • What are the three classifications of connective tissue?
    Connective Tissue Proper, Fluid Connective Tissue, and Supporting Connective Tissue.
  • What are the two types of connective tissue proper?
    Loose connective tissue (e.g., adipose, areolar) and Dense connective tissue (regular and irregular).
  • What is the function of adipose tissue?
    Provides padding around organs, insulation under the skin, and energy storage.
  • Where is areolar connective tissue found and what is its function?
    Found attaching skin to underlying layers; provides framework for organs, nerves, blood vessels, and is a site for immune reactions.
  • What distinguishes dense regular connective tissue?
    Fibers arranged in parallel, mostly collagen; found in tendons, ligaments, and elastic tissue supporting vessels and airways.
  • Where is dense irregular connective tissue found?
    In skin, organ capsules, joint cavities, periosteum, and perichondrium with no consistent fiber arrangement.
  • What are the three layers of the integumentary system?
    Epidermis (epithelial tissue), Dermis (connective tissue), and Hypodermis (subcutaneous connective tissue).
  • What are the five layers of the epidermis?
    Stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum (only in thick skin), and stratum corneum.
  • What is the primary cell type in the epidermis and its function?
    Keratinocytes produce keratin, a tough, water-resistant protein.
  • What role do melanocytes play in the epidermis?
    They synthesize melanin pigment which protects against UV radiation by blocking DNA mutations.
  • What is the function of the stratum corneum?
    It consists of 25-30 layers of dead, keratinized cells that provide a tough, protective outer layer.
  • What are the two layers of the dermis?
    The papillary layer (areolar connective tissue) and the reticular layer (dense irregular connective tissue).
  • What is the hypodermis composed of and its function?
    Composed of areolar and adipose connective tissue; stabilizes the skin relative to underlying tissues and is highly vascular.
  • What are the main accessory structures of the integumentary system?
    Hair, nails, sebaceous glands, sweat glands, and tactile receptors.
  • What is the function of sebaceous glands?
    They release oily sebum that inhibits bacterial growth, moisturizes, and repels water.
  • What are the two types of sweat glands and their differences?
    Apocrine glands discharge sweat into hair follicles (sticky, odorous), and eccrine glands discharge sweat onto skin surface (mostly water for thermoregulation).
  • What are Meissner's and Pacinian corpuscles responsible for?
    Meissner's corpuscles sense fine touch and vibration near the dermis surface; Pacinian corpuscles sense deep pressure deeper in the dermis.
  • What causes 'goosebumps' in the skin?
    Contraction of the arrector pili smooth muscle attached to hair follicles causes hair to stand up.
  • Why don't tattoos fade quickly despite epidermal cell turnover?
    Tattoo ink is deposited in the dermis, which is more stable and less frequently shed than the epidermis.
  • Why is liposuction considered dangerous?
    Because it removes fat from the hypodermis, which is highly vascular and stabilizes the skin, risking damage to blood vessels and underlying tissues.